sentences:  Even the most egregious rape cases, which at one time would have been universally condemned, often result in no punishment for the perpetrators.In February 2017, with the support of the Russian Orthodox Church, Russia decriminalized domestic violence in cases where it does not cause "substantial bodily harm" (such as broken bones or a concussion) and does not happen more than once a year.As a result, domestic violence increased while reporting declined sharply, and police began to refuse to investigate domestic violence cases.