Domestic violence kills 12,000 women a year in Russia — that’s one woman every 40 minutes. Despite this, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill in February to decriminalize certain acts of domestic violence. First time offenders who inflict non life-threatening beatings are now released from jail after just 15 days, or receive a fine of around 500 USD.

Since these amendments to the criminal code, reports of domestic abuse incidents in Russia have spiked. VICE News went to meet those behind the changes, as well as the people most affected.