A sanctuary for women opened Thursday in Tianjing, a port city in north China, in a bid to help victims of domestic violence.

Located in Dasi Township in Xiqing District, the sanctuary was set up by the Women's Federation of Tianjin in cooperation with the Civil Affairs Bureau of Tianjin Municipal government.

A spokesperson for the sanctuary, known as the Women's Aid Center of Tianjin, said it would offer help to local women suffering from domestic violence and needy women abducted from outside Tianjin.

Women from outside Tianjin may seek asylum in the center if they are victims of domestic violence with legal identification documents, residency and legal sources of income.

Eligible women may take underage children to shelter in the sanctuary, said the spokesperson.

The center will provide food and shelter to eligible women for three to five days, while helping collect evidence for the victims, as well as medical services, psychological therapy and legal advice.

The center will arrange appointments and mediation between the victims and their husbands if requested, and protect the privacy of the victims.

The spokesperson said it would create a network involving police, welfare institutions, courts, job agencies and legal advice and medical institutions so as to help the victims out of their difficult situations.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2003)