In a landmark decision, China’s Parliament on Sunday adopted the country’s first law against domestic violence, bringing traditionally silent abuse victims, including couples who are in live-in relationship, under legal protection.
The new law, passed by the Chinese national legislature, prohibits any form of domestic violence, including psychological abuse.
“The country prohibits any form of domestic violence,” reads the new law, which formally defines domestic violence and streamlines the process for obtaining restraining orders - measures long advocated by anti-domestic abuse groups, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The legislation was approved at the end of a week-long bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.
According to the new bill, victims and those in immediate danger can file for a personal protection order that the court must grant or deny within 72 hours. In urgent cases, decisions must be made within 24 hours.
Once the order is granted, courts may prohibit the abuser from harassing, stalking or contacting the applicant and his or her close relatives, order the abuser to move out of the home, or adopt various other measures to protect the applicant.