Discussion 13

Importance of Telling Stories

• Personal testimony is vital to combatting the culture of silence surrounding domestic violence.

• Speaking out helps empower other victims to share their experiences without fear.

Renovage's Experience

• In December 2014, Renovage faced brutal violence from her boyfriend during a breakup.

  • He pinned her down and physically assaulted her, inflicting severe injuries.

  • After the attack, he threatened her to keep quiet.

Statistics on Domestic Violence in Russia

• One in five Russian women experience physical abuse.

• Annually, approximately 14,000 women are killed as a result of domestic violence in Russia.

• The domestic violence death rate is over 20 times higher than in the U.S.

• Contributing factors include:

  • A patriarchal society.

  • Historical trauma from World War II, with around 20 million Soviet men lost.

  • Cultural sayings reinforce the idea that having a man, regardless of his behavior, is a blessing.

Safe Spaces for Victims

• Limited options for safe houses exist, like the shelter on the outskirts of Moscow.

• Victims often fear retaliation from family or partners:

  • One woman detailed multiple abuses at the hands of her husband and mother-in-law.

  • She expressed constant fear of being found by her husband.

Distrust in Law Enforcement

• Victims often hesitate to approach police due to fear and previous negative experiences.

• A notable tragedy occurred when police mocked a victim, leading to her murder shortly after.

• Police responses are often dismissive, telling women to wait until they are seriously harmed.

Legislative Changes and Their Impact

• A 2017 law made domestic violence a crime, punishable by up to two years in prison.

• Current changes relax penalties significantly:

  • Abusers may face as little as 15 days in jail or fines for non-lethal assaults.

• Critics argue this law has effectively given men more freedom to commit violence without consequence.

Cultural Pushback Against Victim Support

• Advocates for the new law believe in protecting traditional family values over state intervention.

• Some, like shelter administrator Natalia Fushenko, argue this law has led to more domestic violence cases, as men feel emboldened.

Art as Healing

• Yevgenia Shekar uses tattoos to transform scars into beauty, helping women regain confidence post-abuse.

• Many women, like Tatiana Kena, seek tattoos to cover physical reminders of trauma.

Awareness and Social Change

• Activists encourage more victims to speak out by challenging existing stigma.

• Renovage shared her story publicly and received overwhelming support, inspiring others to do the same.

• She emphasizes that visibility and dialogue can help dismantle the silence surrounding domestic violence.

Conclusion

• While some women have outlets to share their experiences, many do not, and societal pressure remains high.

• The struggle continues as advocates work to dismantle the cultural barriers that silence victims of domestic violence.