Group concerned over lack of clarity on domestic violence definition

The Macau Anti-Domestic Violence Coalition Group has stated its concern over the lack of a clear definition on domestic violence, Radio Macau reported. The Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ) issued a statement this week stating that they have not agreed on a definition of domestic violence yet, although they are currently drafting the Domestic Violence Bill.
Melody Lu, a spokesperson for the Coalition Group, said that they are worried and confused by DSAJ’s recent statement, as the department is considering whether to give greater consideration to the victim in cases of domestic violence.
Ms Lu said the group does not wish to jump to conclusions in interpreting DSAJ’s statements. Still, she acknowledged that by saying cases “resulting in a lighter effect,” the government might be returning to a previous idea of differentiating between so-called “serious” and “minor” domestic violence offenses.
Early this year, the authorities were pondering listing domestic violence as a public crime only when there is evidence of “repeated violence.”
“We are concerned that the expression ‘not too serious’ could ultimately represent what the government was seeking [to implement] before: to differentiate the serious offenses from minor offenses (…) this is something new for us. We are still waiting for an official version of the drafted bill to see, in legal terms, what this means. Because at the moment it’s not too clear.” Lu said.
DSAJ has previously said that it hopes the Domestic Violence Bill will be tabled at the Legislative Assembly by the end of this year.