CHINA’S first law targeting violence within the home came into force yesterday, outlining a new approach to spousal and partner abuse and challenging traditional notions about family values.

    It is hoped the legislation will encourage more victims to take their abusers to court in a country where violence at home is still widely regarded as a private matter.

    The All-China Women’s Federation estimates that nearly 25 percent of married women in China have experienced domestic violence. But the real figure is probably much higher, because reporting abuse is still rare — especially in the countryside.

    From yesterday victims of domestic abuse will be able to go to court to seek a restraining order that could force the abuser to move out of the home. A judge will have 72 hours to make a ruling.

    The new law “prohibits all forms of domestic violence,” which it defines as: “physical, psychological and other harm inflicted by family members, including beating, restraint, injury or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, recurring verbal threats and abuse,” according to State media.

    The police are now required to intervene immediately when abuse is reported, to stop it at once and collect related evidence. Officers must also help victims obtain treatment and medical reports.

    The legislation covers both married and co-habiting couples.

    Legal professionals are predicting a sharp decline in the number of cases of spousal and partner abuse, China Daily reported.

    “Domestic violence won’t stop until offenders see the actual punishments when the law comes into force,” said Wang Xinliang, a lawyer, who added that the message will really be driven home when restraining orders and warnings are issued.

    The legislation, the final draft of which was approved by the State legislature in December 2015, has been hailed as a milestone in the movement to protect women from physical and psychological abuse at home.

    “The new law signals huge progress in the move to eradicate the harm and fear that results from domestic violence,” said Li Mingshun, a professor of law at the China Women’s University in Beijing.

    Xia Ling, a former domestic violence victim, told China Daily how her ex-husband was careful not to mark her face, focusing his kicks and punches on her arms, legs and back.

    She said she went to hospital twice and gave up on getting help from the police after officers told her the beatings were a family issue.

    “They said they could not intervene in a family issue. So they didn’t take any action,” she said.

    After she filed for divorce, her husband and his mother came and took her son away. She has not seen him for two years.

    Before the new law on domestic violence was approved, there were no specific laws related to abuse within the family.

    But the issue was included in laws such as the Marriage Law and the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Women.

    (SD-Agencies)