Macao Strives For Legislation on Anti-Domestic Violence

Macau strives for legislation on anti-domestic violence. [Xinhua]

Cheong Weng Chon, director of the Legal Affairs Bureau of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), visited the Women's General Association of Macao recently and discussed with Ho Teng Lat, president of the association, on the progress of formulating the anti-domestic violence law.

Since September 2011, the Legal Affairs Bureau and Social Affairs Bureau of China's Macao SAR Government has twice solicited public opinion on a regional law against domestic violence. Since June this year, the government has held over 20 meetings with relevant institutions, members of legislative councils and legal experts to discuss the anti-domestic law.

Cheong Weng Chon, director of the Legal Affairs Bureau told reporters that the government will take account of the legislative experience of other countries and regions and add more clauses to protect victims. The law will not only provide a victim with a guarantee of personal safety, finance and medicare, but also forbid the offenders from committing violence again.

Cheong also said that the government will come up with a proposal to amend the criminal law which suggests that all sexual abuse against minors should be ruled as a public offense regardless of whether the offender and the victim are of the same family.

Cheong added that the public have reached a consensus that all domestic violence is considered a violation of law and serious domestic violence should be ruled a public offense.

The drafting of the anti-domestic law is underway and the draft will be ready and submitted to the legislative council at the end of this year.

(Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)