Russia changes the law on domestic violence – why should it concern the UK?

Earlier this month, President Putin signed a new law that introduced changes to existing legislation on family violence in Russia. The new law has drawn wide international criticism from women, human rights and domestic violence survivors’ support groups. The UK and the international community also condemned the new legislation, but the response seems to have been more muted. A reliance on secondary sources makes the ability to engage with the debate limited; this does not mean that its wider implications and whether a more robust international response is warranted, cannot be considered.