#AUSTRALIA: Queensland Toughens Domestic Abuse Laws

[world politics news]

A package of domestic violence reforms passed in the Queensland state parliament will strengthen protection for victims.

The changes will expand the definition of domestic and family abuse to include a "pattern of behavior" and will strengthen the offense of stalking.

The amendments also strengthen the court's ability to consider previous domestic violence or criminal history and to award costs to avoid further abuse to victims.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#PAKISTAN: PM Khan Blames Clothes Women Wear For Rise In Rapes

[world politics news]

Pakistan Prime minister Imran Khan drew flak after he once again blamed a rise in the cases of sexual violence on how women dress in the country. 

"If a woman is wearing very few clothes, it will have an impact on the men, unless they are robots. It’s just common sense," Imran Khan said in an interview with 'Axios on HBO'. "This is cultural imperialism. Whatever is acceptable in our culture, must be acceptable everywhere else. It's not," he added.

Khan's comments in the interview have caused outrage on social media, with opposition leaders and journalists expressing anger and disgust against the misogynistic ideology.

"Nadia," who identifies herself as a dentist from Karachi, tweeted:

"Someone needs to sit Imran Khan down and educate him on sensitivity towards issues like rape. He should have absolute clarity in his views which should solely hold men accountable without pointing towards women in the slightest."

Pakistan has faced a crisis in violence against women in recent years.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#RUSSIA: Parliament Backs Bill That Lessens Penalties For Domestic Abuse

[world politics news]

Russia's parliament has voted to back a bill that would ease some penalties for domestic violence. Women's rights campaigners fear it will encourage abuse. The bill reduces the crime of battery of a relative to a civil offense instead of a criminal offense when the victim "has suffered no serious harm." It stems from a Supreme Court ruling to decriminalize battery that doesn't inflict bodily harm.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#RUSSIA: Lawmaker Who Pushed Anti-Gay Legislation Now Wants To Decriminalize Domestic Abuse

[world politics news]

The politician from Russia who introduced the country’s anti-gay "propaganda" law has said she wants to decriminalize domestic violence. Yelena Mizulina, a member of the Russian parliament’s upper house, introduced the 2013 law which bans the “promotion of non-traditional sexual relations” to minors. Mizulina has introduced legislation which would decriminalize domestic violence, which is currently punishable with fines of up to $600 or two years in jail. The amendments would reduce punishments for spousal or child abuse to misdemeanor or administrative offences.