Domestic Violence

The prevention of domestic violence is one of the priority areas of service activity of the internal affairs bodies of the Republic of Belarus. Practice shows that tactical methods for preventing offenses in the sphere of family and domestic relations are very difficult to systematize with any clearly defined set of rules, as their application depends on many circumstances. The choice and content of methods are largely determined by the personality traits of the participants in family and domestic conflicts, their lifestyle, and the motives that cause conflict in relationships.

In accordance with Art. 1 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Fundamentals of Crime Prevention Activities" dated 04.01.2014 No. 122-Z, domestic violence is intentional physical, psychological, sexual actions of a family member towards another family member, violating their rights, freedoms, legitimate interests and causing them physical and (or) mental suffering. Family members are close relatives, other relatives, disabled dependents, and other citizens living together with a citizen and maintaining a common household with him. Article 1.4 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses states that close relatives are parents, children, adoptive parents, adopted children, blood brothers and sisters, grandfather, grandmother, grandchildren, as well as the spouse of the victim, the individual in respect of whom administrative proceedings are conducted, the witness.

Administrative responsibility for offenses in the sphere of family and domestic relations is provided for by Article 9.1. "Intentional infliction of bodily harm and other violent actions or violation of a protective order", Article 9.3. "Insult" and Article 17.1. "Minor hooliganism" of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses. The most commonly applied in practice is Article 9.1. of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses. This article states:

1. Intentional infliction of bodily harm, which did not cause short-term health disorder or insignificant permanent disability –
entails a fine of ten to thirty basic units or administrative arrest.

2. Battery not resulting in bodily harm, intentional infliction of pain, physical or mental suffering, committed against a close relative or family member, if these actions do not constitute a crime, or violation of a restraining order –
shall entail a fine of up to ten base units or administrative arrest.

Individuals who systematically commit offenses, or are prone to committing them, in accordance with Article 23 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Fundamentals of Crime Prevention Activities" may be subject to individual crime prevention measures, which include:

  • preventive conversation;
  • official warning;
  • preventive record;
  • restraining order;
  • other measures provided for by legislative acts.

The extreme measure of preventive impact on a domestic abuser is a restraining order. A restraining order prohibits a citizen against whom it is issued from:

  • attempting to ascertain the whereabouts of a citizen (citizens) who is (are) a victim (victims) of domestic violence, if this citizen (citizens) is (are) in a place unknown to the citizen who committed domestic violence;
  • visiting the places where a citizen (citizens) who is (are) a victim (victims) of domestic violence is (are) located, if this citizen (citizens) is (are) temporarily outside the joint place of residence or stay with the citizen against whom the restraining order is issued;
  • communicating with a citizen (citizens) who is (are) a victim (victims) of domestic violence, including by phone, using the global computer network Internet.

A restraining order may also be issued with a prohibition on residing in the same dwelling (house, apartment) with the victim of violence and an obligation to leave it.

Often, conflicts in the sphere of family and domestic relations go beyond the scope of administrative legislation and are qualified as criminal offenses, for which criminal liability is provided in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. These acts may contain signs of various criminal offenses, both provided for by Article 153 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus "Intentional infliction of minor bodily harm" and Article 139 "Murder". Depending on the severity of the consequences and the harm caused, the actions of citizens may fall under the provisions of various articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.

Persons who have suffered from domestic violence can contact the internal affairs bodies for help at any time of the day by calling "102". For psychological assistance, you can contact the department for comprehensive support in crisis situations of the TSSON of the Gluboksky district by phone 8-02156-3 72 88.