Russia could make domestic violence legal

By Elizabeth Keatinge, Buzz60

The Russian parliament is taking steps to decriminalize domestic violence.

According to TIME, deputies in the lower house of parliament have given initial approval to a bill that would eliminate criminal liability for domestic violence. It would draw the line at serious bodily harm or rape.

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The bill still has a few steps to go before it makes it to President Vladimir Putin's desk.

In conservative Russian circles there has been a push recently to re-establish traditional ways of disciplining family members.

Russian domestic violence advocates have said the current system makes it difficult for a woman to seek help and this legislation would not improve that.

A poll by state-run pollster VTsIOM showed 19% of Russians think it can be "acceptable" to hit a wife, husband or child in certain circumstances.