Story highlights Bill decriminalizes first offenses that don't cause serious physical harm

Kremlin says 'creating solid families is a priority'

Moscow (CNN) A bill that would decriminalize some forms of domestic violence in Russia passed a key stage in the Duma on Wednesday. Those who support the proposed change, including members of President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, say they want to protect parents’ right to discipline their children and to reduce the state’s ability to meddle in family life. After Wednesday’s passing, the bill now only needs to get through a third technical reading expected Friday before it goes before the upper house and then to President Vladimir Putin for a final signature. “In the traditional Russian family culture, relations between ‘fathers and sons’ are built upon the authority of parents’ power, mutual love and personal indispensability as the basis for children’s upbringing,” said Yelena Mizulina, one of the initiators of the new legislation and author of a law that banned “gay propaganda” aimed at minors. But state-run news agency RIA Novosti has reported that 40 per cent of serious crimes in Russia are committed in the family, 36,000 women are beaten by their husbands daily, and 12,000 women die yearly as a result of domestic violence –– one woman every 44 minutes.
The Russian Duma backs a law decriminalizing a first instance of domestic violence that does "not seriously injure" the person, making it an administrative offense. The bill also includes violence against children.