East China’s Jiangsu province marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which falls on November 25. The celebration was held in the third year after the enforcement of China’s first law on domestic violence that came into force on March 1, 2016.
On Monday morning, the legal assistance center in Shuyang County saw women seeking help because of domestic violence.
Experts with the center said domestic violence has become another major "killer" affecting the marriage and family harmony. More than 90-percent of the reported cases involve the abuse of women, children and the elderly. One-in-four Chinese women have suffered violence in their marriage.
Tang Yujuan, who works with the legal assistance center, said domestic violence, if not contained, will lead to the breakdown of marriage and the breakup of the family. At the same time, the perpetrators will become bolder. In due course, the children will become more vulnerable to violence.
Statistics show that in domestic violence, 90% of the perpetrators are male, and nearly 100,000 families are disintegrated each year due to domestic violence. With the development of society, the manifestations of domestic violence are also quietly changing. The proportion of traditional forms of abusive violence and other forms of violence has declined, and the proportion of "cold violence" such as mental abuse and economic control has increased.
In 1999, The UN General Assembly designated Nov. 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to raise public awareness of the serious problem.
The 2019 theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is ‘Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape’. Like in previous years, this year's International Day will mark the launch of 16 days of activism that will conclude on 10 December 2019, which is International Human Rights Day.
Several public events are being coordinated for this year's International Day. Iconic buildings and landmarks will be oranged to recall the need for a violence-free future.
China's first law on domestic violence took effect on March 1, 2016. Under the law, domestic violence is no longer considered a "family matter," but a legal issue that demands action from the courts and the police.
The new law defines domestic violence as both physical and psychological harm inflicted between family members, including beatings, injuries, restraint or forcible limits on physical liberties, as well as recurring verbal threats and abuse.
Victims and those under immediate danger from domestic violence can file for a personal protection order.
(Source:ourjiangsu.com)
