Domestic violence cases have declined since 2021

Procuratorial organs nationwide have approved the arrest of more than 2,800 suspects and prosecuted over 3,400 individuals involved in domestic violence-related crimes since 2021, according to data released on Tuesday by the Supreme People's Procuratorate. The announcement coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The SPP said procuratorial authorities have strictly enforced the law against severe domestic violence, promptly approving arrests for repeat offenders, those who commit especially egregious acts, and suspects who continue violent behavior while on bail pending trial or under residential surveillance.

Notably, the arrest rate for domestic violence-related crimes is nearly 10 percentage points higher than the average arrest rate for other criminal cases nationwide. For defendants with vicious criminal circumstances, procurators have pursued prosecutions and recommended severe punishment. Over the past five years, more than 500 defendants in domestic violence cases have been sentenced to life imprisonment or given heavier penalties.

Ge Xiaoyan, deputy prosecutor-general of the SPP, said an analysis of the top five charges in domestic violence cases shows a significant shift: the combined share of intentional injury and intentional homicide has dropped from more than 90 percent in 2021 to less than 60 percent this year, while the proportion of other related charges has increased — reflecting what she described as a more refined and holistic legal approach to addressing domestic violence.

Adapting to changing social dynamics, procuratorial organs have also expanded the scope of protection based on the Criminal Law and the Anti-Domestic Violence Law. De facto cohabitation relationships before marriage, when grounded in a shared living foundation, are now recognized as family relationships, she said. In addition to physical harm, psychological abuse has also been formally classified as a form of domestic violence, providing broader and more comprehensive protection for victims.

At the same time, the overall number of domestic violence-related criminal cases has shown a marked downward trend. In 2021, procuratorial organs prosecuted more than 1,200 suspects; since 2022, the annual number of prosecutions has remained below 1,000.

The SPP said the significant year-on-year decline over the past five years highlights the tangible results achieved through improved anti-domestic violence mechanisms, which have helped safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of women.

yangzekun@chinadaily.com.cn