Mass nature of domestic violence in Caucasus is hidden by fear of publicity

Cases of domestic violence, such as the story of Patimat Idrisova, a native of Dagestan, are far from being unique for the Caucasus, but not everyone is ready to talk about it, let alone decide to run away from home. Breaking up relations and running away is often the only way for girls to save their lives, Svetlana Anokhina and Saida Sirazhudinova believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Patimat Idrisova was subjected to compulsory medical treatment. With the help of human rights defenders, she managed to escape the country. Relatives had repeatedly beaten Idrisova up and threatened to kill her, the SK SOS crisis group has informed.

Patimat Idrisova was beaten up by her relatives for her "self-will" and unwillingness to marry after a divorce from her first husband, Svetlana Anokhina, a journalist, has stated. According to her story, girls are beaten by their brothers, uncles and parents for obstinacy, sluggishness and other sins; and there are thousands of such cases, just not everyone is ready to talk about it.

Ms Anokhina said that since 2020 she and the "Marem" human rights NGO managed to take out more than 50 women who fled domestic violence from Dagestan, Ingushetia and Chechnya.

Saida Sirazhudinova, the president of the "Caucasus. World. Development" Centre for Studying of Global Contemporary Issues and Regional Problems, has called fear of public opinion the main reason for beatings.

After returning to their husbands, girls run the risk of becoming victims of "honour killings," Caucasian experts have noted.