“Pravova derzhava”. Issue 36 (2025), pages 777–786.
DOI: 10.33663/0869-2491-2025-36-777-786
Feshchenko Oleh
Psychological violence in criminal law: issues of qualification and limits of liability
Introduction. Psychological violence in the criminal law of Ukraine requires clear legal regulation and the definition of the limits of liability for offenders. An important aspect is the analysis of its subjective characteristics and impact on victims, which can have serious consequences for their mental health and social activity. Improving legislation and systematizing judicial practice are necessary steps to ensure effective law enforcement and fair consideration of criminal cases.
The aim of the article is to explore the criminal law aspects of psychological violence and the boundaries of liability for such offenses in Ukraine.
Results and conclusions. In general, the issue of psychological violence is important and requires deep improvement. The existing problem of insufficient and poor representation of psychological categories in criminal law leads to difficulties in the practical implementation of legal norms. One way to correct this situation is the integration of psychological knowledge into legal categories, which will allow for a more accurate assessment of psychological violence situations and the determination of responsibility for those acting under its influence.
Psychological violence, being no less dangerous than physical violence, requires a special approach in legal assessment, particularly through psychological expertise, which will help determine the extent of its impact on a person. This will allow for a more just and reasoned application of criminal punishment in line with the principles of criminal law, such as the principles of guilt, fairness, and legality.
Given the development of technology and social changes, it is important to anticipate new forms of aggression, including psychological violence, and to develop legal mechanisms to combat them. This will serve as a guarantee of protecting human rights and freedoms in the face of modern challenges posed by the criminal justice system. It is crucial that the analysis of psychological violence involves various humanitarian disciplines, including psychology, law, and sociology, which will help create a comprehensive strategy for its prevention and effective legal response.
Key words: violence, aggression, physical violence, mental violence, psychological violence, types of violence, threat, harm, murder, destruction of property, action, inaction, influence, intimidation, cyberbullying, criminal liability, Criminal Code of Ukraine, circumstances that exclude the criminal illegality of the act.
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