Violence against children in family up sixfold in Northwestern Russia

Research conducted by Russian scientists in 2024–2025 shows a steady increase in the number of registered crimes against children committed within the family. This trend is observed both nationwide and in the Northwestern Federal District.

According to the study, 4,425 such crimes were recorded in Russia in 2017, 7,594 in 2021, and the number reached 9,740 in 2024.

In the Northwestern Federal District, the trend is even sharper: there were 327 cases in 2017, 1,410 in 2021, and 2,116 in 2024. Thus, the figure has grown more than sixfold over seven years.

The total number of crimes of any category targeting minors is also rising: from 28,423 cases in 2017 to 31,035 in 2024.

Meanwhile, the overall statistics for crimes committed against family members are gradually declining. While there were over 34 thousand such crimes in 2017, in 2024 there were fewer than 27 thousand. The number of crimes against women within the family decreased nationwide from 24.9 thousand to 18.8 thousand, and slightly increased in the Northwestern Federal District — from 2.1 thousand to 2.2 thousand.

Vladislav Shchepelkov commented on the overall trend: «2020 was the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we saw a small jump in the number of crimes related to domestic violence. In 2022 — a sharp drop. By almost 15%. This is apparently related to the start of the special military operation. In 2023, there is a recovery, and in 2024 — a decline again.»

The exact reasons for the rise in violence specifically against children are unknown, according to the expert. Researchers suggest it may be linked to a change in public discourse: discussion of violence against women in the media and social networks has become less active, while attention to the problem of violence against children, on the contrary, has increased.

The overwhelming majority of violent crimes in the family are committed by men. For women, the most typical crime in this sphere is exceeding the limits of necessary self-defense.

Earlier, the case of the Khachaturyan sisters, who killed their father after years of sexual abuse, caused widespread public outcry. The court posthumously found the man guilty. In January 2025, the Investigative Committee resumed the investigation of this case to determine whether the sisters acted in a state of necessary defense or committed premeditated murder.