Violence in family

If you become aware that an unfavorable situation has developed in a particular family, conflict situations arise, family members abuse alcohol, children are in a socially dangerous situation, please inform this information to the internal affairs bodies. Only an active life position of all citizens can prevent family tragedies.

They will help you in solving problems of domestic violence:

• hotline specialists for victims of domestic violence 8-801-100-88-01 (Free from 8:00 to 20:00 from a landline phone );
• law enforcement agencies – contact the internal affairs authorities by phone 102 or the prosecutor’s office;
• territorial centers of social services for the population, where psychologists, social work specialists, and lawyers work);
• medical institutions – seek medical help, record beatings, injuries or other harm to health. In the future, the doctor’s conclusion will help punish the criminal;
• public associations will provide you with psychological, social, and legal assistance.

Where can you go for help?

1. Law enforcement agencies. If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can contact law enforcement agencies by calling 102. Remember that you have the right to choose a punishment in the form of a “fine” or “imprisonment.”
2. Territorial centers for social services. Most social service centers have highly qualified psychologists and social work specialists on staff who can help you understand the current situation and, if necessary, redirect you to the appropriate institutions.

Hotline for victims of domestic violence: 8 017 317-32-32 (24 hours).

Correctional program for men (aggressors) – a program for correcting male violent behavior, teaching respectful communication skills, developing and enriching the skills of adequate, constructive behavior, regulation social relationships, formation of adequate self-esteem, training of practical skills to relieve excessive stress and anxiety. Information by phone: 8 017 317-32-32.

3. Medical institutions. If you have suffered from physical violence, you can contact medical institutions at your place of residence. In the future, a doctor’s opinion can help you if you decide to punish the criminal.
4. Public organizations. In the Republic of Belarus there are a number of public organizations that can provide you with psychological, social, and legal assistance if you find yourself in a situation of domestic violence.

Action plan:

1. Find out in advance the phone numbers and addresses of social centers, public, religious and other organizations, specialists who could provide psychological, legal and medical assistance, and, if necessary, shelter.
2. Collect the keys to the apartment, documents, if possible – money, as well as the most necessary things: clothes, medicines (yours and your children’s – if you have them) and hide them in an accessible but safe place – with relatives, friends.
3. Agree with reliable neighbors to call the police if they hear characteristic screams from the apartment.
4. Do not threaten the offender with leaving in vain. If you only threaten, no one will believe you – and first of all, you yourself will lose faith in your ability to carry out your intention.
5. Agree in advance with relatives, friends or acquaintances (preferably unknown to the aggressor) to provide asylum if necessary, hide and destroy all addresses that would help him in his search.

Domestic violence can be stopped! Do not wait! You can take a step towards safety right now!

Preparatory activities

1. Think about all the possible options for emergency evacuation in a domestic violence situation. How to quickly and safely leave your HOUSE/APARTMENT?
2. Gather in advance all the necessary things (clothes, medicine, etc.), documents (passport, documents for children, etc.), spare keys and hide them in a secluded place that the offender does not know about.
3. Make sure you have pocket money to buy necessary food, things, and rent an apartment/hotel room while you are away from home.
4. Agree with your neighbors to call the police if necessary, or provide you with access to a telephone.
5. Agree with friends and relatives about the possibility of providing temporary asylum.
6. Make a list of organizations in your city that can provide you with temporary shelter, provide you with psychological or legal advice.

Actions in a situation of domestic violence

1. Make sure you are not in danger. If necessary, leave the house/apartment using the preparatory measures from the list above.
2. If you are safe, call the police.
3. Wait for the police to arrive and tell them in detail everything that happened. Together with the local police officer, file a statement about the fact of domestic violence.

Family

Family is one of the greatest values created by humanity in the entire history of its existence. Every person, regardless of age, needs a strong, reliable family. All people have the right to live WITHOUT VIOLENCE (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948)

All couples and families argue, but the argument can escalate into VIOLENCE. Domestic violence leads to serious consequences, including irreparable ones.

In accordance with the Criminal Code and the Procedural and Executive Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus:

• Close relativesare parents, children, adoptive parents, adopted children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, as well as the spouse of the victim, individual, or person who committed the offense.
• Family members are close relatives, other relatives, disabled dependents and other persons living together and leading a common household.
• Domestic violence – deliberate actions of a physical, psychological, sexual nature by a family member in relation to another family member, violating his rights, freedoms, legitimate interests and causing him physical and (or) mental suffering ( Law of the Republic of Belarus dated January 4, 2014 “On the fundamentals of crime prevention activities”)

Modern realities of life increasingly make us think about the fact that family violence is not only the infliction of physical harm, but to a greater extent the systematic mental impact of one family member on another, through humiliation, insult, increased economic and other dependencies.

There are several types of domestic violence:

• psychological – harm to the psychological health of the victim, manifested in insults, intimidation, threats, blackmail, control, etc.
• sexual – committing sexual acts against the will of a partner, as well as forcing a partner to engage in techniques or methods of sexual relations that are unacceptable to him;
• economic – material pressure, which can manifest itself in a ban on working or studying, deprivation of financial support, complete control over expenses;
• physical – influence on the victim with the aim of causing her physical harm, expressed in mutilation, beatings, kicks, slaps, pushes, slaps, sometimes causing death. li>

How to avoid becoming a victim of a domestic tyrant? what to do if there is already violence in your family?

1. If a critical situation arises, try to leave the apartment immediately;
2. Ask the neighbors you trust most to call the police if you hear screams in your apartment;
3. If you cannot leave the apartment, MUST:

• go to a room from which you can get to the exit and try to call the police;
• call friends and neighbors and ask them to come help;
• open the windows, try to attract the attention of passers-by;
• If you managed to get onto the landing, ring all the doors and call for help. Even if no one comes out, this may cool down the attacker, and you will have witnesses.

One of the main causes of domestic crime is drunkenness, which causes enormous material and moral damage to society, complicates the demographic situation in the republic, and contributes to a decrease in the population.

It is no coincidence that the vast majority of criminals who violated public order or committed crimes against individuals on the basis of domestic relationships either previously constantly drank alcohol or were intoxicated at the time of the crime.

The negative impact of offenses in the sphere of family and household relations lies, first of all, in the formation in offenders of a sense of permissiveness, impunity, and disdain for both the law and generally accepted moral norms.

Impunity is the most powerful factor that provokes and stimulates violence. In 95% of cases, if violence has already occurred, it will happen again

But the most dangerous outcome of any family conflict is the negative impact it has on children. Family troubles are the main reason for the shift in the value orientations of adolescents; constant quarrels and assault by parents form cruelty and malice in the character of a minor and serve as a breeding ground for their further involvement in illegal behavior.

Domestic violence – deliberate actions of a physical, psychological, sexual nature by one family member in relation to another family member, violating his rights, freedoms, legitimate interests and causing him physical and (or) mental suffering” (Law Republic of Belarus “On the basics of crime prevention activities”).

Types of violence

• Physical violence is expressed in mutilation, grievous bodily harm, beatings, kicks, slaps, pushing, slapping, throwing objects, etc.
• Psychological violence is expressed in harm to a person’s psychological health, manifested in insults, intimidation, threats, blackmail, control, isolation, limiting the victim’s social circle, etc.
• Economicviolence is expressed in material pressure, which can manifest itself in a ban on working or studying, deprivation of financial support, complete control over expenses, refusal to support children, sole acceptance of financial solutions, etc.
• Sexual – violent acts in which a person is forced, by force, threat or deception, against his will, into some form of sexual relations.
• Neglect – irresponsibility or failure to provide an elderly person with the necessary conditions for life: food, drink, clean clothes, safe and comfortable housing, personal hygiene products, medical care, etc.

All types of violenceare closely interconnected. If the aggressor in the family practices physical violence, of course, this causes mental trauma, and not just physical pain. Economic violence is often based on manipulation and control. There are usually physical injuries and consequences behind sexual assault. As a rule, it is difficult to imagine a situation where the aggressor uses only one type of violence; victims often suffer from the simultaneous manifestation of its various types.

Vicious circle of violence: Remember that if physical or sexual violence has already occurred, then it is likely to happen again.

Moreover, the events will occur incrementally: with each subsequent time, the degree of cruelty and frequency of repetitions increases.

Domestic violence

Domestic violence is the repeated violence of one partner or relative against another, primarily within the family. Domestic violence can occur against both women and men. Domestic violence differs from a quarrel or conflict in the systematic repetition of acts of aggression.

The World Health Organization defines the following main forms of domestic violence:

• Acts of physical aggression such as slapping, hitting, kicking, and beating with the intent to cause harm to a person’s body;
• psychological violence – intimidation and constant humiliation, aimed at suppressing the individual, abusing him;
• forced sexual intercourse and other forms of sexual coercion committed against the will of another person;
• various manifestations of controlling behavior, such as isolating from family and friends, controlling activities, and limiting access to information and help;
• economic violence associated with limiting a person’s economic independence.

Consequences of violence

• First of all, self-esteem and self-confidence decrease.
• Difficulties arise when making any decision.
• A distorted perception of oneself and one’s qualities is formed.
• Assessment of the actions of surrounding people occurs in accordance with the assessments of the partner.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder develops. The main manifestations of which are: sleep disturbance, nightmares, “flashback syndrome” (violently intruding memories of “unbearable” events); difficulty concentrating, increased excitability, irritability, depression, headaches, decreased sexual activity; eating problems (bulimia or anorexia), disturbances in relationships with others, avoidance of communication, etc.

Every violence is punishable! We should dwell on the issues of citizens’ responsibility for offenses committed in the sphere of family and household relations. There is administrative and criminal liability for offenses committed in the sphere of family and household relations.

Administrative responsibility:

Battery that does not result in bodily harm, intentional infliction of pain, physical and mental suffering, committed against a relative or family member, if these actions do not constitute a crime:

• a fine of up to 10 basic units;
• arrest for up to 15 days.

In case of violence against a family member AGAIN within a year (after bringing to administrative responsibility):

• preventive accounting – monitoring the behavior of the aggressor in order to prevent his preparation or commission of offenses and providing preventive influence on him;
• protective order – imposing restrictions on the aggressor who has committed domestic violence to perform certain actions.

Criminal liability:

Threat of murder, infliction of grievous bodily harm or destruction of property, torture, intentional infliction of bodily harm:

• imprisonment up to 15 years;

Intentional unlawful deprivation of the life of another person:

• imprisonment up to 25 years;
• life imprisonment;
• death penalty

AProtective orderis issued to the aggressor in writing by the head of the internal affairs body or his deputy for a period of 3 days to 30 days. A protective order prohibits the aggressor against whom it is issued:

• Make attempts to find out the whereabouts of a victim of domestic violence if she is in a place unknown to the aggressor;
• Visit the location of a victim of domestic violence;
• Communicate with a victim of domestic violence, including by telephone or using the Internet.

A protective order, with the written consent of the victim of domestic violence, obliges the aggressor to temporarily leave the living space shared with the victim and prohibits the disposal of common property.