Prevention and preclusion of crimes in the sphere of family and domestic relations
February 4, 2020
Domestic crime is committed by the closest people to each of us: father, mother, sister, brother
Domestic crime refers to offenses committed by the closest people to each of us: father, mother, sister, brother. In other words, offenses committed in the sphere of family and domestic relations include unlawful acts that infringe upon life and health, personal freedom, honor and dignity of individuals, and social relations based on animosity or sudden conflicts between close relatives and family members.
Among the most important criminogenic factors is alcoholism, as the consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially systematic, contributes to the weakening or loss of self-control, the manifestation of cruelty, rudeness, irritability, and aggressiveness. Intoxication sharply exacerbates other negative character traits, feelings of revenge, and jealousy. In a state of alcohol intoxication, almost every third crime is committed in the district, including about 70% of domestic crimes.
Family and domestic relations are hidden from prying eyes. When constant scandals in the family escalate into tragedy, only then do they become public knowledge and result in punishment. Often, family brawlers, due to the indulgence of victimized family members and the indifference of neighbors, manage to evade responsibility. This is precisely why one of the main tasks of the police in combating domestic crime is to foster an active life stance among citizens and intolerance towards the slightest manifestations of domestic violence.
When domestic crimes are committed, unmotivated cruelty increases; often, the behavior of criminals defies sound logic and reason. In this sense, domestic crime poses a special social danger, necessitating the continuous improvement of prevention efforts. Violence occurs in families of any socio-economic level, regardless of education level and community environment.
Many victims of family brawlers feel dependent on them. Due to constant
due to beatings and humiliation, they are broken, so they often resign themselves to their fate and suffer torment throughout their lives. This happens for various reasons: some fear publicity, a change in social status, or condemnation, while others fear instability in life (in case of leaving: often it is the lack of housing or means of subsistence that forces victims to endure violence for many years). This is precisely what domestic abusers exploit. For them, the victim's fear is the main lever of control over her.The most common signs indicating domestic violence (if there is no open conflict), especially against minors, are external signs of physical violence: bruises, scratches, scars, burns, abrasions, various types of injuries.
The prevention of domestic violence is one of the priority areas of service activity of internal affairs bodies. The identification and suppression of domestic crimes are one of the forms of prevention and warning of more serious crimes against the life and health of citizens, especially those committed in the sphere of domestic relations. However, it is not easy to carry out prevention in the absence of the victims' own desire. After all, there are certain motives for reconciling family quarrels – joint young children, financial situation, as a rule, paying a fine again "hits" the family budget, etc. And it is a pity that not many people understand the full importance of responsibility for so-called "minor offenses." Impunity leads to an increase in the offender's self-esteem and impunity for his unlawful actions, which in turn can lead to irreparable consequences.
An instrument of individual prevention of offenses committed in the sphere of family and domestic relations, in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Fundamentals of Crime Prevention Activities," is a protective order, which provides for the imposition of restrictions on certain actions on a citizen who has committed domestic violence. In accordance with Part 5 of Article 31 of the Law, a protective order, with the written consent of an adult citizen who has suffered from domestic violence, obliges the citizen who has committed domestic violence to temporarily leave the dwelling shared with the citizen who has suffered from domestic violence and prohibits the disposal of common joint property for a period of 3 to 30 days. A person who violates the requirements of the protective order faces
fine of up to ten basic units or administrative arrest.
Jointly with interested departments, large-scale measures are being carried out aimed at preventing offenses in the sphere of family and domestic relations. In 2019, district police inspectors, for the purpose of placing on preventive record, delivered 143 persons abusing alcoholic beverages to a narcologist at the Healthcare Institution "Glubokoye Central Regional Hospital" for medical examination. In total, the court made decisions on isolation in conditions of a therapeutic and preventive facility (LTP) regarding 41 persons, of whom 7 were women.
In accordance with the requirements of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of 04.01.2014 "On the Fundamentals of Crime Prevention Activities", 142 persons are on preventive record at the Department of Internal Affairs (ROVD), of whom:
128 - have been brought to administrative responsibility for offenses committed while intoxicated, in a state caused by the consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, toxic or other stupefying substances, and who have committed similar offenses within a year after an official warning;
14 - have been brought to administrative responsibility for offenses provided for by Articles 9.1, 9.3, 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus, committed repeatedly within a year in the sphere of family and domestic relations after an official warning.
In relation to persons committing offenses in the sphere of family and domestic relations, in 2019, in accordance with the Law, 20 protective orders were issued, establishing the obligation for a citizen who committed domestic violence to temporarily leave the residential premises shared with the victim of violence, as well as prohibiting the disposal of jointly owned property. For violation of the protective order, 1 person was brought to administrative responsibility.
In order to provide assistance to persons in a crisis state (who have been subjected to psychophysical violence), ROVD employees, when responding to reports of conflicts in the sphere of family and domestic relations, offer victims of domestic violence to seek temporary shelter in a "crisis room". In 2019, ROVD employees sent 79 informed consents to the Glubokoye Territorial Center for Social Services (TSSON). Also, the TSSON staff has a highly qualified psychologist who can help resolve the situation (phone: 2-27-25). In solving problems
specialists of the national hotline will help you with domestic violence (anonymously) by phone 8-801-100-8-801 (free from 8.00 to 20.00 from a landline phone).
Senior Prevention Inspector
Department of Law Enforcement and Prevention of the Public Security Militia of the Glubokoye District Department of Internal Affairs
Police Major, V.L. Kukovenkov