SPC releases more typical cases on domestic violence concerning protection of minors

(english.court.gov.cn)     Updated : 2023-11-28

To enhance the whole-of-society awareness of protecting minors and minors' ability of self-protection, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) released six typical cases on domestic violence concerning the protection of minors.

Children who are forcibly seized or hidden and are witnesses to domestic violence should also be identified as victims of harm, as reflected in one case. In the case, a woman surnamed Tang won the custody of her child in the divorce case with her ex-husband surnamed Cai. Dissatisfied with the ruling, Cai took the child away while appealing to a higher court. Cai refused to enforce the appeal ruling, which affirmed the original judgment, and wouldn't return the child to Tang. Through joint efforts of court and psychological counselor, the child was returned to the mother a year later. But soon Cai came to Tang, trying to forcibly seize the child against Tang's will. The two adults argued with each other in front of the child, during which Cai battered Tang despite the child's crying, and injured the child's face, causing both physical and severe mental harm to the child.

To keep the child away from such danger, the mother filed for a personal protection order at the court, which is similar to a restraining order issued in the West, on behalf of the child, and the court swiftly granted the application, demonstrating Chinese courts' zero-tolerance towards domestic violence.

The SPC also lauded a mandatory reporting system, which requires individuals and departments to report anyone suspected of doing harm to children to public security organs, saying that it has played a big role in saving minors from domestic violence.

While calling for government agencies, community or village committees, educational institutes, schools and kindergartens to continue reporting signs of children who may be abused, the SPC added that stronger support should also be provided for minors in danger, urging the organizations to pay closer attention to minors' mental health.