Theme: Criminal-Legal Essence of Domestic Violence and the Grounds for its Criminalization

Abstract

This article provides a systemic study of the criminal-legal essence of the institution of domestic (household) violence and its transformation within the social life of society. The author substantiates the importance of referring to historical sources when interpreting the conceptual foundations of specific legal phenomena to ensure scientific objectivity. The research offers a comprehensive analysis of the role of Law No. ZRU-829, adopted on April 11, 2023, within the national legal system and the fundamental substance of Article 126¹, introduced into the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan as a result of this legislation.

The central part of the article elucidates the correlation between the concepts of "violence," "harassment," and "stalking," identifying their terminological distinctions and the boundaries between criminal and administrative law. Specifically, the study provides a scientific evaluation of the physical, psychological, economic, and sexual forms of domestic violence, as well as their impact on the victim's psyche and social status. Furthermore, the article analyzes the scientific and theoretical aspects of elevating domestic violence from a "private matter" to a "public problem"—categorizing it as a socially dangerous act that necessitates mandatory state intervention.