Violence is one of the global problems facing humanity. Both adults and children fall victim to it. Violence can be encountered anywhere – on the street, at work, at home.
Violence is one of the global problems facing humanity. Both adults and children fall victim to it. Violence can be encountered anywhere – on the street, at work, at home.
Domestic violence most often affects children and women. The legislation of the Republic of Belarus provides for liability for inflicting beatings, bodily harm, as well as mental suffering and other violent acts against a close person.
Thus, according to Article 10.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus, intentional infliction of bodily harm that did not cause short-term health disorder or insignificant permanent disability – entails a fine of 10 to 30 basic units or administrative arrest.
Inflicting beatings that did not cause bodily harm, intentional infliction of pain, physical or mental suffering committed against a close relative or family member, if such actions do not constitute a crime, or violation of a protective order – entail a fine of up to 10 basic units or administrative arrest.
According to Article 10.2 of the Code of Administrative Offences, insult, i.e., intentional humiliation of honour and dignity of a person, expressed in an indecent form, – entails a fine of up to 30 basic units.
Criminal liability for violent crimes in the sphere of family and domestic relations is provided for by Article 154 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
Thus, according to this article, intentional infliction of prolonged pain or torment by methods causing special physical and mental suffering to the victim, or systematic infliction of beatings that did not result in consequences provided for by Articles 147 and 149 of the Criminal Code, are punishable by arrest or restriction of liberty for up to 3 years, or imprisonment for the same term with or without a fine. In cases where torture is committed against a pregnant woman, an elderly person, a minor, a person in a helpless state or dependent position, or a person previously convicted of torture, known to the perpetrator – this article of the Criminal Code provides for restriction of liberty from 1 year to 3 years with or without a fine, or imprisonment from 1 year to 5 years with or without a fine.
If you encounter this problem, always seek assistance from the internal affairs bodies, as well as from social service centres, where you can receive psychological support and help to understand the situation.
Assistant Prosecutor
of Lepel District