A policy that gives a perpetrator of violence a green light, which is backed by the state – ensuring that “no-one will listen anyway” when victims of violence are finally courageous enough to speak up.

In reality family violence often starts small and escalates over time, so reporting what at first seems to be the ‘difficult’ or challenging behaviour of a partner seems unnecessary and almost petty. At this stage it is likely that the victim does not believe what they are experiencing is family violence. (In my research I have estimated this scenario applies to around 60% of the women.)

There is no recovery from a verbal and psychological assault – the trauma can remain for a lifetime without intervention.

Ask a survivor of family violence which is worse – physical, or verbal and psychological abuse? The answer will always be the latter because it’s possible to fully recover from a physical assault.

The conclusion? Family violence is not just physical – it is emotional, verbal, psychological, financial, sexual and so the list goes on. It’s necessary to address all forms of violence if we are to truly make a positive impact.

Russia, whether intended or not, is playing an active role in the increasing incidence of family violence by:

• normalising the presence of violence in families and
• silencing the voices of women who have worked so hard and so long to be heard.