Russian pop star Valeria is speaking out against domestic violence in Russia as part of a movement to try and raise awareness and increase help for victims.

NOT even fame and fortune as one of Russia’s leading pop stars could save Valeria from her husband’s fists. For ten years she endured his beatings, threats and rages, assuming, like so many abused women, that it was somehow her fault. But now, divorced and happily remarried, she has broken a taboo by speaking out about her experiences as part of a campaign to get the Kremlin to clamp down on rampant domestic violence.

On average one woman is killed every hour in Russia by a partner, former partner or relative, according to a report released by Amnesty International yesterday. In Britain the figure is two per week. The report estimates that 70 per cent of married women in Russia have been subjected to violence by their husband.

via UK Times...