Lawmakers of Russian State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament, are drafting a law on measures to combat domestic violence, State Duma Healthcare Committee member Saliya Murzabayeva said on Tuesday.

      Recent Statistics Service poll revealed that nearly 40 percent of women in Russia have suffered from verbal abuse and 20 percent from domestic violence, but only 12 percent have complained to the police, doctors or lawyers.

      Russian politicians react on that information by introducing the bill which is aimed at creating a legal framework for government-approved economic, social and political measures to prevent domestic violence. In particular, the bill stipulates judicial and non-judicial measures to protect victims from repeat domestic violence and prevent the culprits from searching out their victims and from harassing, visiting or phoning them.

      Offenders may be obliged to pay for the upkeep of common children, to cover victims' medical costs and rent, and be compelled to undergo alcohol and drug abuse treatment.

      The bill has been examined by State Duma legal experts and will soon be presented for public discussion, Murzabayeva said.