Domestic violence

Physical violence involves the deliberate use of physical force, strength, or a weapon to harm or injure a woman. Sexual violence includes abusive sexual contact, forcing a woman to engage in sexual acts against her consent, attempted or completed sex acts with a woman who is ill, disabled, under restraint or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Psychological violence includes controlling or isolating the woman, and humiliating or embarrassing her. Economic violence involves denying a woman access to and control over basic resources. Administrative violence refers to depriving a woman of her identification papers (residence permit, ID card, family records, passport, etc.). Once left undocumented, it is impossible for immigrant victims to prove their nationality, legalise their immigration status or defend their rights.

Fighting domestic violence requires combined initiatives at all levels by all societal stakeholders: family, individuals, local community, civil society. A law protecting the rights and interests of women was enacted in China in 1998, reasserting the principle of the State authorities’ responsibility for preventing and eradicating intimate-partner violence, and providing assistance to the victims. However, the law fails to provide for any recourse for prosecuting the perpetrators, and reporting rates on this type of violence are extremely low in the country since such behaviours are regarded as private. Some progress has nevertheless been observed. For instance, in 2010-2012, UNIFEM (UN Development Fund for Women) and the Chinese government established a special prevention and response programme specifically targeting domestic violence in China.