January 27, 2026
Anna Rivina was the face of Russia’s fight against domestic violence. Former employees are accusing her of emotional abuse.
Domestic violence was rampant in Russia even before Vladimir Putin signed a law decriminalizing it in 2017. Left unable to press criminal charges against their abusers, the aid group Nasiliu.net became a lifeline for thousands of victims. The organization’s founder, Anna Rivina, was regarded as a hero within Russia’s human rights community. But after Nasiliu.net announced its closure in October 2025, succumbing to years of government pressure, several former employees publicly accused Rivina of abusive behavior. Rivina denies the allegations, saying Nasiliu.net operated under “difficult and restrictive conditions” and claiming that it wasn’t always possible to maintain a “stable and comfortable working environment” for staff. To understand what unfolded inside Russia’s most prominent anti-domestic violence organization, Meduza spoke with 10 former Nasiliu.net employees — and Rivina herself.
TL;DR
- Nasiliu.net, a prominent Russian anti-domestic violence organization, announced its closure in October 2025 due to government pressure and funding difficulties.
- Founded in 2015, the organization provided assistance to over 10,000 women and played a significant role in raising public awareness about domestic violence in Russia.
- Following the organization's closure, several former employees accused its founder, Anna Rivina, of emotional abuse, public humiliation, and creating a stressful work environment.
- Rivina denies the allegations, stating that the organization operated under difficult conditions and that maintaining a stable working environment was challenging.
- Former employees reported experiencing anxiety, health problems, and burnout due to the alleged abusive management style.
- Nasiliu.net was designated a "foreign agent" by Russian authorities in 2020, leading to increased operational restrictions.