The regulations were formulated when domestic violence incidents showed a tendency toward increase, causing damages to both families and social stability.

The regulations require police stations to promptly handle complaints from the victims of domestic violence. Those exercising such violence will be given various kinds of punishment depending on circumstances, such as warning, detention or even arrest.

Procuratorates shall approve arrests and institute legal procedures against offenders in time. People’s courts at all levels shall handle in time domestic violence cases according to law.

The regulations also urge the whole society to become involved in warding off and halting domestic violence from occurring, asking lawyers to provide legal assistance to victims. Citizens have the right to mediate, halt and inform against domestic violence acts.

(People’s Daily 11/21/2000)