|
Chinese police ordered to
handle domestic violence complaints at scene
The
Chinese government has ordered police to respond at the scene to all
complaints of domestic violence in a new regulation to protect the rights
of women.
The regulation, issued by seven ministries, including the ministries of
public security, justice and health, requires police to be dispatched
whenever they receive a 110 emergency call regarding household violence.
Chen Xiourong, vice president of the All-China Women's Federation, said on
Wednesday that the regulation would reinforce the Law on the Protection of
Rights and Interests of Women, which was amended in 2005 to include
articles on domestic abuse. Twenty-five provinces had also enacted
regulations to prevent violence against women.
Women's federations across China, together with public security
departments, had set up domestic-abuse centers, shelters, complaint
hotlines and legal aid websites, said Chen.
"All the measures have helped greatly to protect women from domestic
violence," she said.
The federation received 40,000 to 50,000 complaints of domestic violence
annually, and the number of cases had been increasing.
In the past, victims lacked legislative support and were afraid or ashamed
to speak out, said Chen.
The Tenth National Women's Congress will be held from Oct. 28 to 31, and
more than 1,200 delegates representing the country's 650 million women will
attend.
Source: Xinhua
|