Kazakhstan. Domestic violence and intimate partner sexual violence

01. Call the Police

— How to call the police?

Dial 102 from any landline or mobile. That is the general police number in Kazakhstan. 

There is also a special police group for the protection of women against violence available at

+7 (7152) 49-31-58, +7 (7152) 61-25-30, or on WhatsApp: +7 (708) 432-45-61. 

— Do I need documents to call the police?

No. Anyone, regardless of citizenship, nationality, residency/registration, or age, can call the police.  However, police and police call-center can have limited ability to speak with you in foreign languages (only Kazakh and Russian).

— If I have any migration issues (e.g., visa overstay), is it safe for me to call the police? Can an administrative case be initiated against me?

The police will register the call and must help in any event. In case of violation of migration laws, police may initiate an administrative case. However, they assess the circumstances of each case, and if a woman could not register because of objective reasons (such as financial conditions, physical, psychological, or other types of violence against her), then the police will help with the registration process and cooperating with other state bodies of Kazakhstan and foreign countries instead.

— Can I say that I am a victim of domestic violence? Authorities’ formal and informal attitudes

Yes. Authorities must register the call and the verbal statements, visit the victim, and take measures under the law.

— Are there any restraining orders? How do they work?

Yes, there are restraining orders. To ensure the safety of the victim and in the absence of grounds for the production of administrative or criminal detention, for the protection of women from violence, police can issue a protective order for 30 days, taking into account the victim’s opinion.

— What can I do if the aggressor violated the order?

If the restraining order is violated, a woman can report to the police.

— What will happen next?

The police will initiate an administrative case. Violation of a restraining order issued by the police entails a warning or administrative arrest for up to five days.

— I filed a complaint and now want to withdraw it can I do this?

Yes, the victim has a right to withdraw a complaint.

— What rights do I have?

A restraining order prohibits committing domestic violence, searching for, harassing, visiting, conducting oral, telephone conversations, and contacting the victim in other ways against the victim’s will, including minors and (or) incapacitated members of the victim’s family.

If the victim has no place to separate herself, she may be placed in a crisis center for the restraining order period at her request.

— What evidence is needed to bring a case against the abuser and prosecute?

The police will arrive and inspect the place, interrogate neighbors or other witnesses, if necessary, and in case of any physical injuries, they will conduct a forensic medical examination.

02. Get medical help

— How to get medical help?

Call 103 from any landline or mobile for emergency medical assistance.

— Do I need money/documents/being registered in the country to get medical help?

No, emergency medical assistance is free of charge. However, any further medical treatment may be charged, including if the victim does not have registration.

— If I have migration issues (e.g., visa overstay), is it safe for me to ask for medical help? 

When seeking medical help in case of beatings, the ambulance team also calls the police. After the police arrive, the procedure is the same as described above.

— If medical staff suspects that I am a survivor of crime, do they have to report to the police? 

Yes.

— Legislation punishing domestic and intimate partner sexual violence

List of Articles from Administrative and Criminal Codes

Articles 120 and 121 of the Criminal Code provide liability for sexual offenses. 

Rape (Art. 120) is defined as sexual intercourse with the use of violence or threat of violence against the victim or any other person, as well as the use of the helpless state of the victim. Rape is punished by imprisonment for a term of five to eight years. (Victim of rape is a female. A similar crime committed against a man qualifies as sexual assault (see below)). Rape committed by a group of people, combined with a conspiracy to commit rape, or committed with cruelty to the victim is punishable by imprisonment of nine to twelve years. 

Sexual assault (Art. 121) is defined as sodomy, lesbianism, or other acts of a sexual nature with the use of violence or threat of violence against the victim or any other person or using the helpless state of the victim, and is punished by imprisonment for a term of five to eight years. The remaining qualifications (committed with cruelty, against minor, etc.) and respective penalties mirror Art. 120 (see above).

03. Get in touch with local helping organizations

— Which organizations can help?

There are several NGOs that specialize in helping victims of domestic and sexual violence. Below is the list of such NGOs made from publicly available sources. However, we have not contacted these NGOs, nor can we vouch for these organizations. 

• NeMolchikz, Public Fund, Almaty, phone: +7 705 151 0000, e-mail: info@nemolchi.kz.
• Korgau Astana Fund, Nur-Sultan, phone: +7 (7172) 30 60 73, e-mail: korgau_astana@mail.ru.
• Umit, Emergency Response Center, phone: +7 (7172) 49 78 89, e-mail: centr_07_2013@mail.ru.
• Zhan Saya, Emergency Response Center, phone: 8 (800) 080 7771, 150 (direct hotline), e-mail: kcalmaty2017@gmail.com.

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