The police will be given more guidance on how to deal with cases
of domestic violence, a rising trend in recent years.
According to the All-China Women's Federation, domestic violence
complaints have risen 70 percent in the past two years.
Nine ministries, including the All-China Women's Federation and
the Ministry of Public Security, will issue guidelines that provide
a legal basis for police intervention, Zhang Yanhong, a director of
the legal department of the federation, said.
The guidelines are expected to take effect at the end of this
month, she said.
"They will strengthen an anti-domestic violence law due to go
before the next National People Congress," Zhang said.
The guidelines take a practical and standard approach to dealing
with family violence.
Police response must be immediate or they could face punishment,
Zhang said.
China has laws and regulations concerning domestic violence, but
they lack details for prevention and punishment.
"The police, up to now, do not have a legal right to intervene
in family cases," Liao Saifang, a public security officer,
said.
Police involvement will help stem domestic violence, and in some
cases prevent deaths, Liao said.
In Shenzhen, south China, 26 people have died resulting from
domestic abuse in the first half of this year - 13 percent of
deaths - occurring in all criminal cases.
In the past two years, the federation has received about 50,000
complaints of domestic violence, up 70 percent, the deputy chairman
of the federation, Mo Wenxiu, was quoted as saying by the Xinhua
News Agency.
Domestic violence is partly responsible for the 400,000 divorces
every year in China, Mo said.
Guo Ruixiang, China Program Specialist of the United Nations
Development Fund for Women, said the increase was probably due to
more violence and to an increase in victims seeking help.
"The figure reminds us of how serious the situation is in the
country," she said.
Guo said the guidelines were a step in the right direction, as
it would? enhance the public's awareness of domestic
violence.
(China Daily July 21, 2007)