Russia to decriminalise domestic violence

Russian politicians are set to pass new legislation that decriminalises all acts of domestic violence with the exception of rape and serious bodily harm.

Under the new law, which could be signed by the end of the week, beating a spouse or child will be punishable by a fine of less than £400, a nominal 15 days of "administrative arrest", or community service. Only broken bones, concussion or repeated offences will lead to criminal charges.

"Passage of this law would be a huge step backward for Russia, where victims of domestic violence already face enormous obstacles to getting help or justice," said Human Rights Watch.

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It "marks a rapid volte-face by the government", says The Independent, with President Vladimir Putin bowing to pressure from the Russian Orthodox church and ultra-conservative MPs, who bitterly opposed new amendments to criminalise violence against relatives passed by the Duma last year.

According to Russian interior ministry estimates, 14,000 women a year die at the hands of their husbands or partners, while 600,000 a year face violent domestic abuse.

Russia's only domestic violence hotline, the Anna Centre, says as many as one in three women suffer physical abuse at the hands of their partners, while 40 per cent of all violent crimes or murders take place in the home.