Chengdu Set to Open New Shelter for Domestic Violence Victims

The government of Chengdu, the capital city of Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, is set to open a new shelter for victims of domestic violence whereby both women and men will be accepted. The new center welcomes all those affected, not only women, but also children and the elderly.

Talking to Chengdu Business Daily, an official with Chengdu relief center said, "Adult male victims can also seek help from us."

The center also pointed out that female victims can take their juvenile to the shelter, which will arrange for help from social workers and other professionals in addition to even assisting to find foster families if need be.

According to Chengdu Business Daily on Sunday, Feb. 14, via the Global Times, the Chengdu support center will commence operations next month and it will provide legal, employment, health, and mediation assistance to victims, who stay in the center for up to 10 days.

The information came at a time when China is getting ready to implement its first anti-domestic violence law on March 1. According to the law, domestic violence is both physical and psychological harm inflicted upon one family member by another, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Speaking to the Global Times, Cai Yiping, a Beijing-based domestic violence expert, said that male victims of domestic violence usually suffer psychological violence.

Approximately 2 percent of the 1845 domestic violence complaints received by the Women's Federation in Sichuan in 2015 came from men, according to a report from Chengdu-based West China City Daily in January.

Cai pointed out that domestic violence shelters should give help for gay men and women who may be victims of violence by their partners. She suggested that the law should protect victims in any love relationship, including but not confined to marital relations.

Many other cities in the country including Guangzhou and Shanghai have also launched support centers for domestic violence victims.