Impact of the Implementation of the Anti-domestic Violence Law of the People's Republic of China on Domestic Violence Behavior by Married Couples in Urban Areas

Abstract

This research aimed to explore the influence of the Anti-domestic Violence Law of the People's Republic of China since it officially took effect in 2016. Using data from the Supreme People's Court's official publications and the Peking University Legal Database (PKU Law), we compared the number of domestic violence-related cases in the five years before and after implementing the People's Republic of China's implementation of Anti-domestic Violence Law. We also obtained and evaluated yearly data changes on warnings and protection orders since the Anti-domestic Violence Law permits public security authorities and judicial authorities to issue warning letters and personal safety protection orders. At the same time, we distributed 350 questionnaires to residents to assess their awareness of the Anti-domestic Violence Law. Regression analysis reveals that the knowledge and awareness of the Anti-domestic Violence Law could affect the frequency of domestic violence behaviour. We can infer from our research that the overall condition of domestic violence has improved significantly in the five years following the enactment of China's Anti-domestic Violence Law. While there are still a large number of victims who have difficulty getting rid of domestic violence thoroughly, means that the law's popularization and enforcement still have a long way to go.