Domestic violence: Call the police to get an incident report, then apply to court for a protection order — no divorce required and it’s free

There’s no cost at all. Applying for a protection order involves no filing fees or bonds. The only “expense” is the time needed to call the police, get medical exams, and fill out the application. The hardest part is simply speaking up to family members about what happened.

From a risk perspective, a systematic review of data from 66 countries shows that intimate partners are responsible for 38.6 % of female homicides and 6.3 % of male homicides; these killings are typically the final step in a long pattern of abuse. Another study compared 506 homicide cases and attempted‑murder cases with 427 abused women who survived. Women who had been strangled by a partner faced an odds ratio of 6.70 (95 % CI 3.91–11.49) for attempted murder and an odds ratio of 7.48 (95 % CI 4.53–12.35) for homicide. Legally, victims and their close relatives may call the police; authorities must intervene promptly, investigate, and help with medical care. For minor cases, a warning notice can be issued to the abuser. Victims of domestic violence may also apply to court for a protection order, which must be granted within 72 hours (or 24 hours in urgent situations). Such orders prohibit further abuse, harassment, stalking, or contact with the victim and her relatives, and may require the abuser to leave the shared residence. Orders are valid for up to six months and can be renewed. No divorce is required to obtain one; courts grant them when abuse is deemed “highly likely.” Violations can result in fines up to 1,000 yuan or detention up to 15 days; repeat offenders may be charged with contempt of court. Ongoing humiliation, threats, stalking, harassment, and deprivation of food or warmth also count as abuse.

全国人大常委会 (2015). 反家庭暴力法（第二、十三、十五、十六、十九、二十三、二十八、二十九、三十、三十四条）. https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=2c909fdd678bf17901678bf7f9d60889；最高人民法院 (2022). 关于办理人身安全保护令案件适用法律若干问题的规定（法释〔2022〕17 号，第一、三、六、十、十二条）. https://www.court.gov.cn/zixun/xiangqing/366021.html；最高人民法院 (2016). 关于人身安全保护令案件相关程序问题的批复（法释〔2016〕15 号，第一、二项）. 平原县人民法院转载全文 http://qdzy.sdcourt.gov.cn/dzpyfy/393141/393283/1461545/index.html；Stöckl H 等 (2013). The global prevalence of intimate partner homicide: a systematic review. Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61030-2；Glass N 等 (2008). Non-fatal strangulation is an important risk factor for homicide of women. Journal of Emergency Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.02.065

The main beneficiaries are the victim herself and her family. The homicide figures come from overseas studies; China has no comparable public statistics. Evidence is crucial: keep police reports, warning notices, medical exam results, treatment records, written promises from the abuser, chat logs, and recordings (see item 41 for recording guidance). Legal representation isn’t mandatory for protection orders, which are usually issued within a few days. Separate divorce or compensation claims follow a different legal process with longer timelines and higher legal fees. Domestic‑violence victims may qualify for free legal aid; courts can also waive or reduce filing fees. A protection order does not guarantee absolute safety — in immediate danger, call 110 first. If a victim is unable to apply due to fear or coercion, close relatives, police, women’s federations, residents’ committees, or villagers’ committees may file on her behalf. If you witness a stranger being abused, simply call 110; do not intervene physically (see item 10 for reasons).