COUNTERING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES IN MODERN CONDITIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ISTANBUL CONVENTION

This paper examines approaches to countering domestic violence in several foreign countries that are parties to the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention). Domestic violence remains an urgent and widespread problem affecting almost all countries, regardless of nationality, social status, level of education, or professional activity. Consequently, states employ a variety of legal and non-legal mechanisms aimed at effectively reducing the incidence of domestic violence. The purpose of the article is to analyse foreign experience in preventing domestic violence in Istanbul Convention member states, assess the effectiveness of legal, preventive, and rehabilitative measures for protecting victims, and substantiate proposals for improving the domestic violence prevention system in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study examines the criminal legislation of European countries, including sanctions for offences committed in domestic settings. Particular attention is given to the institution of protective orders, their types, and mechanisms of implementation. The paper highlights the effectiveness of modern technologies in enhancing victim protection and considers rehabilitation programmes and preventive measures designed to ensure family safety through coordinated intervention by the state and society. Based on successful European practices, the authors propose a set of measures aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s system of domestic violence prevention. Additionally, the study emphasises the importance of increasing legal awareness among the population through social networks and other mass media as a key factor in improving the effectiveness of antiviolence policies. The authors also propose the legislative establishment of the right to collect information relevant to future cohabitation about a prospective partner in order to form a comprehensive understanding of the individual. According to the authors, this measure may help partially prevent the negative consequences of domestic violence in marital and family life.

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