Macau Anti-domestic Violence Coalition files report with UN on legal loopholes

The Macau Anti-Domestic Violence Coalition has filed a report with the United Nations, warning of loopholes in the domestic violence bill currently being drafted.
The group said they fear that the future legislation on domestic violence will unveil fundamental legal loopholes without providing adequate protection.
The coalition, comprised of nine civic groups, has been urging the United Nations to pressure Macau’s authorities into listing domestic violence as a public crime.
The government has not yet presented a final draft, but the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) announced early this year that it would consider listing domestic violence as a public crime, but only in cases where there is evidence of “repeated violence.” The term, however, has generated controversy.
The Macau Domestic Violence Legislation Concern Group criticized IAS for failing to acknowledge the complexity of domestic violence as a serious offense, and its impact on both victims and children who might witness violent behavior.
The report recently filed with the United Nations is intended to further clarify Macau’s domestic violence situation, as the UN is preparing for an official debate on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, taking place between October 20 and November 7.
The UN will receive official information from the countries signing conventions, and the Human Rights Committee also assesses reports filed by civic organizations.
The coalition believes that the situation in Macau has not improved, since one in ten women have experienced domestic violence, whether physical, psychological or sexual. They also mention the lack of adequate legislation and security forces trained to deal with domestic violence cases, a phenomenon that “[has] created obstacles and prevents victims from seeking help.”
Sister Juliana Devoy, who leads the Good Shepherd Center, and scholar Cecilia Ho, are part of the Macau Anti-Domestic Violence Coalition and have met with the Macau government regularly to discuss the legislation details.
They believe that certain aspects of the law should be further clarified, since it still includes unclear concepts, such as “domestic” or even the word “violence.”
Members of the coalition recall that, according to their information, the bill addresses cases of domestic violence between spouses or between parents and sons, excluding violence between siblings or brothers-in-law.
Furthermore, the coalition thinks that the law focuses too much on physical violence and neglects other forms of violence, such as psychological and sexual abuse.
The coalition has urged the UN to encourage Macau to precisely and clearly define the words “violence” and “domestic,” taking into consideration international standards. They have also campaigned for the listing of domestic violence as a public crime, and for further training of legal officials in domestic violence-related matters.  MDT/Lusa