The year 2016 will see several new laws taking effect in China. One of them is

China's first bill against domestic violence, which will take effect on March

the first.

Seen as a landmark move to legally protect abuse victims, who have

traditionally suffered in silence, the law formally defines domestic violence as

physical, psychological and other harm inflicted by family members.

The law will also streamline the process for obtaining restraining

orders.

Another highlight of the bill is that it covers people who are not

related but live together.

So how should we interpret the significance of this

ground-breaking law for China? Which aspects should we pay special attention

to?PIK speaks with Xu Shenjian, professor at Law School, at China

University of Political Science and Law, Li Ying, Vice Dean at Law School, at China

Women's University and Julia Broussard, Country Programme Manager at UN Women China

Office, and her colleague Guo Ruixiang.