Justice Is Turning the Tide on Domestic Abuse

China has recorded a sustained decline in domestic violence cases since 2021, showing that stronger enforcement and broader legal protections are reducing the most severe forms of abuse.

“The figures show that our mechanisms are working to better protect victims and prevent repeat harm,” said Ge Xiaoyan, Deputy Prosecutor-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate.

Since 2021, annual prosecutions have fallen from more than 1,200 to under 1,000, while arrests have exceeded 2,800 suspects nationwide. The share of the most serious crimes, including intentional injury and homicide, dropped from over 90% to below 60%, reflecting a shift toward earlier intervention. Legal reforms now recognise psychological abuse and cohabiting relationships as protected under domestic violence law, expanding safeguards and helping prevent escalation before lives are lost.