“Rabat”, #50, 10/12/2008
E. Boyarshinova

   “My Sami is wonderful, everything is…” Verka says about her feelings about her boyfriend. We see that she is wearing sunglasses despite the weather not calling for them. Verka has covered her nose with cream and powder toner, but it could not conceal what she had to hide. Verka muttered embarrassed, “All is ... well, when he beats it means love ... And you get something...”
   Where are we, that girls stupidly say that a beating determines the degree of love? Where did our men get the idea that this is allowed and we are his own thing?
   ... First, faithful neighbors call the police. No one could calmly watch as the woman was trying to dodge blows from her husband. Local references recall Verka as a fool. A fool who took the prestigious titles, money, and house from her husband in return for this. There was pressure from parents on both sides, and the baby, and cat and dog. Recently, however, she has complained that she is ill and is tormented by headaches.
   One of the neighbors told the story again, “My hands are dissolved. I once saw him with a rolling pin ... She was, of course, scared to death! Only when she was barely alive did the fight stop…” Faith could not strike back in response. When they were asked why the police did not help: “And what do you seem in people’s eyes? Shame ...”
   Does the bruising stop us, are the girls not ashamed? Do they feel guilty and fear their husbands’ steps? Why do we live with that?
   Combating domestic violence can and should be done. Moreover, even a relatively mild punishment, according to the Akmaral Turehan, senior inspector of the group for the protection of women against violence at the Enbekshinskogo police station, should be in place in for a little conflict. After one night in a prison cell one is unlikely to repeat this.
   In January 2008, Article 79-5 of Administrative Code of Kazakhstan was signed, which provides penalties for domestic, psychological, and sexual violence in the family. The penalty under this law is fines and containment of up to ten days.
   “Women should not appeal only when their husbands or cohabitants have beaten them to a pulp, " says Akmaral Turehanova, “And to ensure that a person will get punishment, it does not have to be by hand. When he comes home drunk or angry, swearing, breaking the dishes - this is also debauchery. Another scandal at home is psychological violence...”
   But when the victim makes a statement about the husband being belligerent, in most cases it is the same again. “I feel sorry for him,” said a woman, “Still we try…” One month, this is repeated. “This year we brought 20 cases before the court. And in each case, the perpetrator has suffered a punishment. There were fines, and arrests ... Then we monitor the behavior of these men and have noted that there were less relapses. Men behave much more “silent”…”
   The Inspector Group on Protection of women is always exploring information that comes in the ATS or the police precinct; such as, daily situation reports, media, and information coming from the state bodies, organizations, and associations. “Most of the women are simply not aware that the abuser can be punished, and this is the biggest problem,” comments Akmaral Turehanova, “We explain what women's rights are, and give detailed information on specific issues, we offer various solutions to the problem and help select the most viable option.”
   The Inspectors Group for the protection of women against violence works closely with NGOs. NGO “Sana Sezim” has started a project to provide access to justice for women whose rights have been violated. Under the project, volunteers will distribute leaflets which explain the rights of women. Scheduled training sessions have been made for women and members of law enforcement and judicial departments of SKO. Psychological, legal, and social services will be maintained around the clock. The project will last two years. For information, call: 50-07-85 or 56-47-54.