Perpetrators most in need of urgent help, says psychologist

People who violently assault their family members are in urgent need of assistance, according to a psychologist.

"Those suffering domestic violence are our major target for psychological help, because they've realized they need assistance and want to get out of trouble," said Meng Bin, a psychologist from the Shanghai Qingai Health Center.

But in Meng's view, perpetrators need help more urgently, "as they are the troublemakers", she said.

"A large number of perpetrators often fall into a cycle－attack, apologize and attack again. It means they sometimes feel guilty about what they are doing," she said.

"Some people who are out of control beat their spouse or children because they are not good at expressing themselves or their moods with words," she said, adding that her job is to guide them in learning how to improve their communication abilities.

But she is disappointed that few perpetrators have taken the initiative to receive psychological treatment. "Most of them haven't realized they need help, or they don't even think their problem is serious."

Meng highlighted the significance of receiving prompt psychological help for both sides in a case of domestic violence, adding that the problem will become serious, or even a crime, if assistance arrives too late.

In 2015, the Supreme People's Court, the country's top court, said nearly 10 percent of intentional homicide cases were related to domestic violence, and statistics from the All-China Women's Federation show that each year nearly 100,000 families are broken up as a result of such violence.

Meng called for more attention to be paid to mental and verbal violence, "because compared with physical injuries, mental harm is more difficult for victims to cope with and ask for aid".

"No matter who turns to me, we will first give them a questionnaire to evaluate their ability to communicate and whether they are deeply depressed. Then, they can obtain 50 minutes of treatment on each visit," she said.

"But another challenge is that many patients give up halfway," she added. "So, establishing trust with those struggling with domestic violence is the key to help them walk out of the darkness, and also an urgent issue for further study."