Stacey Dooley Investigates: Russia's War on Women

SYNOPSIS

Behind closed doors, Russian society has a dark secret. It is estimated thousands of Russian women are murdered every year by their husbands or partners. Domestic violence is so deep-rooted in Russia there is even a well-known saying - "If he beats you, it means he loves you". Despite the scale of the problem, in February 2017 the Russian government decriminalised certain forms of domestic violence. In Stacey Dooley Investigates: Russia's War on Women, Stacey travels to Russia to explore the reasons behind this decision and the impact the law-change is having on women. She meets the victims forced into hiding to escape their abusive partners and comes face to face with a prolific violent offender. She visits the hard-line Orthodox Christians championing Russia's return to traditional values and spends time with the young feminists fighting for equality despite threats and intimidation.