The head of state signed the law "On introducing amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on ensuring women's rights and children's safety". Relevant instructions to toughen penalties for violence against women and children were voiced by the President of the country in his messages to the people of Kazakhstan on March 16, 2022 and September 1, 2023.
The new amendments, which toughen responsibility for any manifestation of violence against women and children, provide for life imprisonment for the murder of a minor, rape against a minor and violent acts of a sexual nature against a minor "by excluding other alternative measures of punishment provided for in the current norms of the Criminal Code".
In addition, criminal liability is introduced for intentional infliction of minor harm to health and battery. Criminal liability is also introduced for driving to suicide, as well as for the propaganda of suicide.
For the first time, administrative liability has been introduced for bullying a minor, including on the Internet.
The creation and functioning of family support centers to provide special social services to victims of domestic violence is enshrined in law.
