The domestic violence shelter's top priority is the rehabilitation of children victims. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chengdu Province will soon have its own domestic violence shelter, China Daily reported. The shelter was the result of an anti-family violence law set for nationwide implementation on March 1.
The shelter, which will start operations in March, can accommodate for up to 10 days children and adults subjected to domestic violence. During their stay, domestic violence victims will be offered boarding and lodging.
Should they wish to extend their stay in the shelter, victims are welcome to file an application, according to the Chengdu Civil Affairs Bureau.
To help provide medical and legal aid, along with other services, government departments and social relief organizations are encouraged to take part in the shelter. Psychological rehabilitation and employment assistance will also be offered for those who need it.
The Chengdu Women's Rights Protection Center will work alongside the shelter, providing much-needed facilities such as beds, counseling rooms, and even an activities center.
According to Luo Li, a bureau official, the shelter walls will be decorated with calming paintings and portraits depicting nature to provide a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. Toy pandas will also be placed on the desk for children's easy reach.
The domestic violence shelter's top priority is the rehabilitation of children victims, who will be put under the care of efficient social workers. Once the time is right, some of them may be sent to live with carefully picked host families.
Despite focusing on women and children, the shelter also opens its doors to male domestic violence victims.
"If adult men are threatened with domestic violence, they can seek help in the center, too," said Luo in an interview with China Daily.
"Domestic violence consists of physical and emotional violence," Luo added. "Adult men may also suffer from it. But the overwhelming majority of the abused are women and children, so we will launch the shelter with the city's women's federation."
Similar shelters have already been established in other areas such as Dazhou in Sichuan Province, Zhengdou in Henan Province, and Nanjing in Jiangsu Province. So far, all of these shelters have had few people seeking for help.
However, an investigation by the All-China Women's Federation discovered that domestic violence is much more common in Chinese society, present in 30 percent of Chinese families.
