Today, 25 November, is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Good timing then for Nanjing to launch an initiative calling for “zero tolerance” of domestic abuse, supported by municipal and local government organs, together with public welfare bodies.
Our city’s Domestic Violence Police Information Platform (家暴警情平台), operated by Nanjing Women’s Federation and the Municipal Public Security Bureau, has this year received more than 20 cases of domestic violence each day. Most are reported after 10:00 pm and at weekends, while in 90 percent of cases, the victims are women or children.
In traditional Chinese thinking, domestic violence is a family dispute, believed by many to be a “domestic disgrace that should not be publicised”. Some people also feel that it is not good for others to intervene in cases of domestic violence.
The Domestic Violence Police Information Platform gives victims of domestic violence a clear path to relief. Staff at the Nanjing Women’s Federation told reporters for the Yangtze Evening News that they pay return visits to victims, clearly informing them of their options, such as whether to apply for a personal safety protection order and whether they need legal aid or psychological counselling.
It is under this backdrop that the Nanjing Anti Domestic Violence Joint Conference, held yesterday, touted a new “zero tolerance” policy, under which victims of domestic violence in Nanjing will no longer be left alone.
The Conference was a joint effort by various city-level organs, namely the Municipal Women’s Federation, Political and Legal Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, Municipal Court, Municipal Procuratorate, Municipal Public Security Bureau, Municipal Judicial Bureau and the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau.
Several of Nanjing’s local districts have also committed themselves to “zero tolerance”. Jiangbei New Area has set up an anti-domestic violence alliance and Jiangning District an anti-domestic violence information linkage platform. Elsewhere, Gulou District has conducted an anti-domestic violence trial and a briefing of typical cases, while Yuhuatai District has held an anti-domestic violence public welfare activity.
Despite such efforts, the reality remains that many women are still reluctant to leave the perpetrators of domestic violence, even though they may have suffered for a long time. Factors include children and economic welfare, while many victims are also under the illusion that their abusers can better themselves.
Under China’s Anti Domestic Violence Law, victims, their legal representatives and close relatives, are able to lodge complains and seek assistance against their perpetrators from their residents’ committees, villagers’ committees, women’s federations and other organs. They may also report a case to the public security organs or bring a suit to the people’s court.
Victims of domestic abuse in Nanjing may call the public welfare service hotline belonging to Nanjing Women’s Federation on 12338. The Federation has powers to provide free legal consultation, legal aid, marriage guidance, psychological counselling and other public welfare services.
