Аннотация
This article examines the extent to which the current criminal legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan reflects the specific features of domestic violence, with a view to identifying legal gaps and proposing improvements. To achieve this aim, the study pursues the following objectives: 1) to analyze the legal definition of “close persons” under the criminal law of the Republic of Kazakhstan; 2) to assess its compliance with international legal standards, in particular the Istanbul Convention, as well as comparative foreign practice; 3) to substantiate the need for a differentiated approach to domestic violence, taking into account the nature of close relationships as a factor increasing the social harm of the offence; and 4) to develop proposals for legislative improvement. Limiting the range of subjects exclusively to formally registered family ties and close kinship does not reflect the real social nature of domestic violence, which is often committed within de facto marital and other intimate relationships. In this regard, the article substantiates the need to revise the content of the category of “close persons” in the criminal legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is proposed to expand this category by including persons who live or have lived together, as well as those who are or have been in de facto marital or other close relationships, regardless of their formal legal status. Such an approach allows for taking into account the actual social ties underlying domestic violence. In this context, it is proposed to strengthen criminal liability for acts committed in the sphere of domestic relations by introducing into criminal law a qualifying element — the commission of a criminal offense against a close person, which would allow for taking into account the increased social danger of such acts.