(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-14 21:23

More than 12,000 anti-domestic-violence centers have been installed across China to protect people, especially women, from domestic violence.

Joint efforts have been made by All-China Women's Federation(ACWF), Ministry of Public Security and other government agencies to tackle domestic violence since 2005, when a "peaceful family" plan was launched, reported Beijing-based Legal Daily.

In addition, more than 27,000 organizations and 400 shelter places have been set up across the country by this joint effort to provide counseling, legal aid and other services for women.

Domestic violence remains the most serious problem facing women and children in modern society.

Statistics from ACWF show that the federation received 40,000 to 50,000 complaints on domestic violence annually, and the number of cases has continued increasing in recent years.

Media also reported that about 30 percent of Chinese families still harbor domestic violence, and 90 percent of the victims are women and children.

Laws and regulations concerning domestic violence will come out soon, specifying prevention, intervention and punishment of family abuse cases, said the newspaper, citing Mo Wenxiu, vice-chairman of ACWF.

Experts also suggest that communities, medical services, families and individuals work together to prevent domestic violence.