A Russian pop star fights domestic violence

After 10 years of silence, Valeria speaks out about how she suffered at the hands of her husband.

Published December 15, 2005 12:44PM (EST)

The Times of London has a report today from Moscow about Valeria, a famous Russian pop star, who has broken the silence about her experiences with domestic violence in hopes that authorities will help other Russian women with abusive spouses. It sounds like Moscow needs many more like her.

Valeria, who rose to fame in the '90s but flamed out after she divorced her husband in 2001, says, "I was quiet about it for ten years because had I opened my mouth, it would have been much worse." Indeed, domestic violence is prevalent and tolerated all over Russia; the Times cites an Amnesty International report released yesterday that says "on average one woman is killed every hour in Russia by a partner, former partner or relative  The report estimates that 70 percent of married women in Russia have been subjected to violence by their husband." Equally shocking is that Moscow, a city with more than 10 million residents, does not have a single shelter for battered women.


By Hillary Frey

Hillary Frey is the Books editor at Salon.

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