The Standing Committee of Anhui (in East China) Provincial People's Congress on July 29 held a news conference to announce the promulgation of Anhui's measures of implementing China's Law Against Domestic Violence. Adoption of the measures, which took effect on November 1, was another step in Anhui's legislative progress in combating domestic violence. 

China's NPC (National People's Congress) Standing Committee adopted the Law Against Domestic Violence on December 27, 2015. The law took effect on March 1, 2016. The legislation, the first of its kind in the country, marked a milestone in the development of China's legal system, in the progress of protecting Chinese citizens' rights, and in the promotion of women and children's development. 

The measures adopted by Anhui contain provisions for the prevention of domestic violence, the handling of cases involving domestic violence and the provision of legal aid to victims of the violence. 

The measures also contain regulations on implementing the mechanism for reporting offences of domestic violence to public security agencies, the systems of enforcing restraining orders (to protect the safety and properties of domestic violence victims) and of giving a warning to perpetrators of domestic violence. In addition, the measures outline the responsibilities of people's governments, at all levels in Anhui, and various departments (including Anhui's civil affairs and public security departments), in combating domestic violence. For example, the measures stipulate Anhui's judicial and administrative departments should include work related to combating domestic violence in their public legal services at the grass-roots level. 

At the end of October, Anhui Women's Federation began conducting various activities to publicize information about the measures, and to help women raise their awareness about the importance of combating domestic violence. 

(Women of China English Monthly December 2022 issue)