China’s Domestic Violence Law should be revised to provide better protection for victims, and a more efficient mechanism should be established to ensure its implementation, an NPC deputy recently proposed.

“Though China’s first domestic violence law was passed swiftly, it still has many flaws,” Sun Xiaomei, a national legislator and professor at China Women’s University, told the Beijing News. Sun will submit her 10th proposal on the Domestic Violence Law to the National People's Congress.

Based on data collected by Sun from rural areas in China, the rate of domestic violence has not changed since the law was first issued in 2016. Though the situation is not promising, Sun noted that public awareness of the law is at a new high, and many victims have been able to use the law to protect their rights.

According to Sun, more malicious acts ought to fall into the category of domestic violence, including sexual violence and economic control. Sun also believes the law should cover more potential victims, expanding to including former spouses and gay couples that live together.

The law's lax implementation is also a major concern for Sun. Current law stipulates that public security organs should issue a written warning in cases of "light" domestic violence. Such warnings are meant to include the identity of the perpetrator and a prohibition against additional such acts in the future, However, according to Sun, many police stations have never issued even one written warning since the law took effect.

“Core government sectors concerned with domestic violence protection, such as police and courts, should establish guidance on the Domestic Violence Law’s implementation, while the current law should be revised to include a clearer definition of domestic violence and a procedure for the collection of evidence,” suggested Sun.