Proposed law to curb domestic abuse
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Victims of domestic violence will be able to file for court injunctions if a proposal by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) is adopted by the top legislature during its planned drafting of a new law.
Although injunctions are regularly applied in other countries, such as the United States, normally to protect women from being harassed, molested or assaulted by ex-partners, it is a new concept in the domestic legal system. But a few cities have already introduced it on a pilot basis.
Currently nine clauses in four laws -- such as the Marriage Law and the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women -- address aspects of domestic violence. But the country has yet to draft an independent law to deal with the offence comprehensively.
Legislation on domestic violence is an important move to better protect the rights of women and children, Jiang Yue'e, head of the ACWF's department for women's rights and interests, told China Daily.
"Domestic violence is not only a severe violation of human rights, but it also leads to divorce, suicide and other social problems," Jiang said.
About 20 leading experts will gather in Beijing next month to discuss details of the federation's proposal, which could be used as a basis to draft the new domestic violence law, she said.
There is no timetable available for the new law.
Existing legal clauses on domestic abuse are flawed, Jiang said, citing as an example their failure "to spell out specific responsibilities of the public security bureaus or judicial departments in handling such cases, and what kind of protection victims can get".
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