In a landmark decision, China’s Parliament has adopted the country’s first law against domestic violence, bringing traditionally silent abuse victims, including couples who are in live-in relationship, under legal protection. The new law, passed by the Chinese national legislature, prohibits any form of domestic violence, including psychological abuse. The legislation was approved at the end of a week-long bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress(NPC) Standing Committee.

What is about the Bill???

• According to the new bill, victims and those in immediate danger can file for a personal protection order that the court must grant or deny within 72 hours. In urgent cases, decisions must be made within 24 hours.
• Once the order is granted, courts may prohibit the abuser from harassing, stalking or contacting the applicant and his or her close relatives, order the abuser to move out of the home, or adopt various other measures to protect the applicant.
• If the abuser violate the protection order, they may be fined up to 1,000 yuan, detained for up to 15 days or face criminal charges in serious offences.

What is Domestic Violence???

• Domestic violence is defined as physical, psychological and other harm inflicted by family members with beatings, restraint or forcible limits on physical liberty, recurring invectives and verbal threats listed as examples.

The new law also covers cohabitation, meaning those who are not related but live together are also included. Less than two decades ago, physical abuse was not even acceptable as grounds for divorce in China. Only in recent years has the issue become a subject for serious public discussion due to increasing public awareness and media reports on high-profile abuse cases.