Awareness against domestic violence rises in Hangzhou, but challenge remains

A survey by the Women's Federation in Hangzhou found that respondents generally identified behaviors like physical abusive and intimidation as forms of domestic violence but not more subtle behaviors such as economic abuse.

The report detailing the results of the survey was issued ahead of the second anniversary of the introduction of China's first law against domestic violence, which came into effect on March 1, 2016.

China's first law against domestic violence came into effect on March 1, 2016. [File Photo: IC]

According to Qianjiang Evening News, most respondents identified physical harm, abusive behaviors, threats and intimidation, and coerced sexual contact as forms of domestic violence.

Other behaviors, however, including controlling a partner's money, ignoring them for a long time, frequently demanding to know their whereabouts, activities, and companions, and discriminating against them for not giving birth to a child, especially a son, tended to be a blind spot for respondents.

The Women's Federation report also shows that from 2015 to 2017, police in Hangzhou received an increasing number of calls regarding instances of domestic violence, with 2016 witnessing a 75 percent rise compared to the previous year.

Of the reported incidents, more than 90% of the victims refused further assistance from authorities. Almost three-quarters of them consider domestic violence to be "a shame that should not be made public."

Volunteers from a domestic violence hotline in Hangzhou said that helping to build the confidence of victims is the key step for fighting against domestic violence.