Domestic violence is a crime!

To draw public attention to the problems of domestic violence and minimize the consequences of offenses committed on this basis, a preventive campaign "Home Without Violence" is being held in the Republic of Belarus from April 03 to April 07, 2023.

Family is one of the greatest values created by humanity throughout its existence, but not everyone manages to preserve it. Domestic violence leads to grave consequences, including irreparable ones.

Annually, about 400 cases of minor bodily harm by family members and relatives are registered in Belarus; for torturing relatives, i.e., intentionally inflicting prolonged pain or suffering by methods causing particular physical and mental suffering to the victim, or systematic beatings, more than 500 family abusers are convicted annually. Approximately 120 victims are subjected to violence involving intentional infliction of less serious bodily harm, and more than 350 to violence involving intentional infliction of serious bodily harm. Annually, about 150 people in Belarus die at the hands of loved ones.

In the Postavy District Department of Internal Affairs, 250 reports categorized as family and domestic relations were registered in 2022, of which 188 administrative protocols were drawn up and sent to court for decision. For 14 reports, an investigation was conducted under criminal procedural legislation, for which appropriate procedural decisions were made. In the first quarter of 2023, 56 reports were received, of which 7 reports were investigated under criminal procedural legislation, and 42 administrative protocols were drawn up under Part 2 of Article 10.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus. Currently, 51 people are on preventive record with the Postavy District Department of Internal Affairs for committing domestic violence, with whom various preventive work is carried out.

In the vast majority of cases, women become victims of domestic violence. How not to become a victim of a domestic tyrant? What to do if violence is already present in your family?

1.    If a critical situation arises, try to leave the apartment immediately;

2.    Ask the neighbors you trust most to call the police if they hear screams from your apartment;

3.    If you cannot leave the apartment, you must:

·       Lock yourself in the bathroom with a phone and try to call the police;

·       Call friends and acquaintances and ask them to come to your aid;

·       Try to attract the attention of passers-by through open windows;

·       If you manage to leave the apartment - knock on all doors, call for help; even if no one comes out, this may cool down the attacker, and you will have witnesses if you contact the police;

In solving problems of domestic violence in the Postavy district, you will be helped by:

·       Law enforcement agencies. If you are subjected to family cruelty, contact law enforcement agencies by phone 102, 4 10 02, or the Postavy District Department of Internal Affairs at the address: Postavy, Sovetskaya St., 43;

·       Territorial Center for Social Services of the Population, which employs psychologists, social workers who will help you understand the problem;

·       Medical institutions. If you have suffered from physical violence, seek medical help, document the injuries. In the future, a doctor's conclusion will help punish the offender;

There is a crisis room in the Postavy district for the temporary stay of persons affected by domestic violence.

You are not alone - there are people who are ready to help and support you. Seek help!

Senior Inspector of the Prevention Department of the Public Order and Prevention Department

of the Postavy District Executive Committee Department of Internal Affairs

Senior Police Lieutenant                                                    Yu.A. Smirnov     

Additional information can be found here

Prevention of violence (postcson.by)