The issue of domestic violence in Kazakhstan has sparked intensified public debate in recent years, particularly following several high-profile cases involving public officials, businesspeople, and artists. Against this backdrop, analysts at the Ranking.kz portal examined how the situation has evolved and how effectively the state is addressing the issue.
Stubborn Statistics
According to the Committee on Legal Statistics, Kazakhstan has seen a significant decline in overall murder rates, from 1,400 cases in 2010 to 449 in 2024. Similar downward trends are observed for other serious crimes, including rape, sexual assault, and manslaughter.
However, the share of murders classified as domestic crimes has increased from 17% in 2018 to 23% in 2024. This means that nearly one in four murders now occurs within families, and the decline in domestic homicide rates has been far slower than the national average.
Significantly, during the period when domestic violence was criminalized (2015-2017), the number of murders dropped markedly. After its partial decriminalization, the trend reversed, with rates beginning to rise again.
A noticeable change came in 2024, when certain domestic violence offenses, such as assault and minor bodily harm, were reclassified from administrative to criminal offences. This shift led to a sharp increase in related criminal cases, reflecting a new legal approach rather than a sudden spike in incidents.
Currently, family conflicts that do not involve serious physical harm are handled under Article 73 of Kazakhstan’s Administrative Code, which covers insults, humiliation, and property damage. In 2024, 74,300 cases were registered under this article, up from 60,500 in 2010, although the earlier figure included assault as well.
Punishing the Victims
A report by the Human Rights Commissioner sharply criticized the previous administrative model for punishing domestic violence, which typically relied on warnings or brief detentions. In many cases, fines were paid out of the family budget, effectively penalizing the victims themselves.
“The effectiveness of measures to prevent and stop violence was 35% in 2023 and just 20% in 2020. In the remaining cases, the violence was repeated,” noted experts from the National Center for Human Rights.
Alarmingly, 40-45% of domestic violence victims are men, according to the same report. It also points out that when women resort to killing abusive partners after years of suffering, it highlights the failure of state policies to provide adequate protection.
“Violence continues, and current protective measures fall short,” the report concludes.
According to the Kazakhstan Institute for Public Development, 6% of respondents nationwide reported experiencing domestic violence in 2024. The regional disparities are stark: in Mangistau, 38% of respondents said they had faced domestic violence, compared to 14% in Karaganda.
Equally troubling is the limited awareness and use of support services. Nearly half of respondents had never heard of crisis centers. Of the 67,500 administrative and criminal domestic violence cases in 2023, only 4,400 victims, just 6.5%, sought help at such centers. In some regions, the rate was under 2%.
Public Skepticism Remains High
Surveys reflect widespread pessimism about progress on the issue. When asked how the domestic violence situation had changed over two years, 36.4% said it remained the same, 17% believed it had worsened, and 8.7% said it had significantly worsened. Only 28.2% saw improvement.
Internationally, an estimated 27% of women aged 15-49 experience domestic violence. Experts believe the true figure in Kazakhstan may be higher, due to underreporting.
Nonetheless, there have been some cultural shifts: media coverage of domestic violence has increased, more women are coming forward, and public condemnation of abuse is growing. But experts stress that without deep structural reforms, from improving access to services to reshaping public attitudes, the numbers are unlikely to change meaningfully.
