A bill on stalking has been suggested in Russia: those who stalk will be forbidden from getting close to their targets
In Russia, legislation concerning stalking — persistent harassment — has been drafted. If approved, those who stalk could be barred from approaching their victims.
The bill was created by State Duma representatives from the «New People» party, namely Vladislav Davankov, Sardana Avksentieva, and Ksenia Goryacheva. They suggest incorporating the notion of «stalking» — relentless harassment — into the legal framework.
«Stalkers monitor their targets on social media platforms, utilizing GPS trackers and surveillance applications on mobile phones. They harass children, splash gasoline on victims, forcibly enter properties, and assault family members. It is essential to bring this behavior to an end»
— Davankov declared.
The deputies are seeking to introduce a persecution clause within the Code of Administrative Offenses. Monetary penalties for those who pursue others will range from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles; administrative detention for a period of up to 7 days and limitations on the entitlement to specific actions may also be imposed. Significantly — the restrictions encompass a prohibition on approaching the victim: this is a common practice internationally. According to the deputies, this measure has the potential to avert criminal activity: stalkers frequently transition from harassment to assault.
Alongside the proposed modifications to the Administrative Code, the deputies have formulated a preliminary version of a distinct federal law «On countering invasive harassment» — which will introduce the definition of stalking into Russian law for the first time. According to the deputies, the initial draft of the bill contemplated the implementation of criminal liability for stalking, however, the Supreme Court advised to «lessen the likelihood of judicial conflicts».
