Crime of domestic violence (Article 126-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine): analysis of judicial practice
Authors: Zinsu O. І. 
Published: December 2021

The scientific article is devoted to the analysis of judicial practice of the crime of domestic violence. The urgency of the topic is due to the need to develop Ukraine as a modern democratic state governed by the rule of law and further expand legal regulation in the field of prevention and combating domestic violence. Methodology. Methodological tools are selected in accordance with the purpose, objectives, object and subject of research. The methodological basis of the study are philosophical, general and special-scientific methods of cognition. The theoretical basis of the study were the prescriptions of regulations of current legislation of Ukraine and scientific works of domestic scientists on domestic violence. Taking into account the specifics and complexity of the chosen subject of research, interdisciplinary and complex approaches were used, which allowed to work out and interpret the results of empirical research. The generally accepted principles of scientific knowledge are applied, in particular, the principle of determinism, the principle of conformity, the principle of subsidiarity.

The methods, techniques, principles used made it possible to identify, distinguish, distinguish and prolong the relationship of part and whole, single and total selected sample, emphasizing the dialectical unity and difference between the properties, relationships and aspects of the subject.

The empirical basis of the study is the information obtained from the analysis of case law, namely: acts of criminal law (court verdicts), the period of adoption from 01.01.2020 to 01.01.2021, the decisions of which are placed in the Unified State Register of Judgments of Ukraine. In the course of the research the concept, legal consequences and composition of the crime of Article 126-1 were revealed and characterized. Domestic violence of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The variability of structural units of criminal-legal interaction of the offender-victim with the indication of the family-legal status of the participants in the crime of domestic violence is emphasized. Attention is paid to fragments of legal reality and to certain orientation units of lawful and wrongful behavior. The influence of genetic and environmental factors on the formation of the behavior of participants in deep conflict domestic violence is noted.

Attention is paid to the commission of crimes based on personal hostility. Also, the interpretation of the sample data revealed that a significant number of crimes of domestic violence were committed by the perpetrator (suspect / accused) in a state of intoxication or under the influence of psychoactive substances (alcoholic beverages), which in turn indicates the problem of interdependent, addictive behaviors, psychologic emotional imbalance. Thus, the modular interrelationships of the participants in the deep conflict in the field of domestic violence, taking the form of a criminal act, are determined by a set of interconnected, interdependent factors of biological and social nature. This gives grounds to argue about the need to improve measures to prevent and correct deviant behavior in society.

Based on the results of the study, conclusions and recommendations were formed regarding the improvement of social and legal influence in the field of prevention and counteraction to domestic violence. Among other things, it is expedient to modernize social policy, form, develop the institution of "family", "general family", as well as the development and implementation of targeted comprehensive programs for the prevention of domestic violence, legal education, structured according to psychological age, hierarchy of activities, neoplasms of consciousness and personality. The general conditions of such an approach are the successful acquisition of knowledge and skills of self-regulation of behavior, as well as the formation of motivational and demanding sphere of personality of the right direction.

The obtained results can be used: in research work —  for further research of legal, psychological specifics and structure of domestic violence; in law-making  — to improve the legal regulation of the system of prevention, counteraction to domestic violence; —  law enforcement activities  — in the implementation of state policy in the field of prevention, combating domestic violence; in the educational process  — in the preparation of lectures, seminars, practical classes; in legal and educational activities — to improve the modular guidelines of socio-legal behavior of the individual, aimed at raising the level of legal awareness, legal culture; as well as for all other professionals who deal with domestic violence.