The Chinese mainland has introduced a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at enhancing the prevention and management of domestic violence. Published on Monday, these guidelines are a collaborative effort from nine key institutions, including the Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People's Court, the Ministry of Justice, and the All-China Women's Federation.
One of the core objectives of the new guidelines is to clearly define the conditions under which police can establish the facts of domestic violence. In cases where the perpetrator does not contest the allegations, statements from both the perpetrator and the victim, or witness testimonies, will be required. Conversely, if the perpetrator denies the act, statements from the victim or witnesses, supplemented by additional evidence, will be necessary.
To support these processes, the guidelines outline eight types of supplementary evidence. These include digital materials such as audio-visual recordings and telephone recordings that document the incident. Additionally, witness testimonies from friends and neighbors, medical records from healthcare institutions, and records of complaints filed with relevant departments are considered valid forms of evidence.
The guidelines also address the penal measures for less severe cases of domestic violence. When incidents are deemed minor and do not justify administrative penalties like detention, police officers are empowered to educate the perpetrator or issue a verbal warning. For repeat offenders, an admonition notice can be issued after previous warnings.
Furthermore, the guidelines delineate the roles of eight sectors—including courts, education authorities, civil affairs departments, hospitals, and women's organizations—in the fight against domestic violence. A key component is the implementation of a mandatory reporting system, requiring staff at schools, kindergartens, medical institutions, community centers, and social service organizations to report any discovered cases of domestic violence to the police.
Since the anti-domestic violence law took effect in 2016, the police have been authorized to issue admonition notices to perpetrators. In 2023 alone, police across the Chinese mainland issued 98,000 such notices, demonstrating a significant effort in addressing and mitigating domestic violence.
Reference(s):
China strengthens domestic violence response with new guidelines
cgtn.com
