Wuxi offers awards to stop home violence

Wuxi, Jiangsu province, encourages individuals to report or stop domestic violence by awarding the title of "Good Samaritan" and cash prizes.

According to a regulation recently issued by the city's "Good Samaritan" Foundation, Public Security Bureau and Women's Foundation, anyone that reports or stops domestic violence will be given 500 to 1,000 yuan ($69 to 138) or the title of "Good Samaritan".

As of July, Wuxi has provided many services to help domestic violence victims, including giving rewards to reporters and offering legal advice, injury identification and psychological counseling to victims.

The victims can also get help to file restraining orders against the abusers, and get temporary shelter and financial aid, according to the regulation.

Liu Lianjun, a professor with Southeast University's law school, said that the regulation will have a very positive influence on stopping domestic violence.

"It aims to encourage people to report domestic violence around them and create an environment that such behaviors will not be tolerated," Liu said.

He said that China passed the Anti-Domestic Violence Law in 2015, which made it clear that any organizations and individuals should promptly dissuade and report domestic violence to the public security organs.

"Reporting domestic violence is not only a righteous and courageous act, but also a legal obligation of every citizen," said Liu.

"We've noticed for a long time during work that many victims choose to tolerate domestic violence by believing in the traditional belief that family shame should not be made public," said Dong Caifeng, Party secretary of Changzhou Women's Federation.

"Many neighbors and relatives also choose to remain silent or look the other way because they are influenced by another traditional belief — that even an upright official finds it hard to settle a family quarrel."

In March 2021, Changzhou became the first city in Jiangsu to award the title of "Good Samaritan" to people who help domestic violence victims. Taizhou, another Jiangsu city, followed suit in April of the same year.