Sexual harassment of women is expected to become a criminal
offence for the first time in China by the end of the
year.?
Legal experts said Friday the draft amendment of the Law on the
Protection of Rights and Interests of Women will introduce
definitions of sexual harassment and ultimately lead to the arrest
of and punishment on offenders.
"The proposed law change is expected to be discussed later this
year by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress
(NPC),
the country's top legislature," said Yang Dawen, a law professor
with the Renmin University of
China.
The draft amendment has been submitted to the State Council for
a final check before being presented to the Standing Committee.
"The draft offers principle definitions and punishments for
sexual harassment, which aim to provide a basic legal foundation
for future detailed laws and regulations," added Yang, who is a
member of an expert panel overseeing the draft amendment.
"The draft also highlighted employers' responsibility in
preventing workplace sexual harassment," Yang said.
Calls for legislation to clarify definitions and punishments for
sexual harassment have long been heard.
A recent survey carried out by the Beijing-based China
Times newspaper found a staggering 86 percent of women
respondents in China's capital city have been the victims of sexual
harassment.
Women are most at risk when traveling on public transport but
the workplace, leisure venues and hospitals also leave them
vulnerable.
The survey found body and verbal harassment are the most common
but unwanted sleazy mobile phone short messages and emails are also
a growing menace.
Most women victims remain silent during an incident and after
for fear of losing face.
An increasing number of sexual harassment cases have been heard
in courts across the country in recent years.
However, such cases are always complex, involving a mixture of
claims and counterclaims. Judges and legal experts are left
confused as no precise legal framework for sexual harassment is in
place.
(China Daily March 5, 2005)