Delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien: Many people think that it is normal for husbands to 'teach' their wives and for parents to 'beat' their children.

This is the sharing of Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Hien - National Assembly delegate of Nghe An delegation, currently Permanent Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union with Nghe An Newspaper on the sidelines of the 3rd Session of the 15th National Assembly regarding the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended).

The exchange took place in the context of the afternoon of June 14, at Dien Hong Hall, National Assembly House, under the direction of Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, the National Assembly discussed the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended).

Panorama of the working session on the afternoon of June 14 at Dien Hong Hall, National Assembly House. Photo: Quang Khanh

PV:Through discussions at the National Assembly forums, it shows that delegates, voters and people across the country are very interested in the amendment.Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic ViolenceHow do you evaluate the approach in this draft Law?

Delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien:I think the drafting agency has been very meticulous in preparing the draft Law. In particular, this draft has included the concept of gender-based domestic violence in the Law, and mainstreamed gender in the provisions of the Law. This is very important.

Gender inequality is the fundamental, underlying cause of domestic violence that has been widespread in the awareness of everyone and every family for many generations.

Many people think that it is normal for husbands to 'discipline' their wives and for parents to 'beat' their children. Or the idea that men are the head of the family and must do big things creates a lot of mental pressure on men. This leads to violent acts in the family. This is a big barrier in the prevention of domestic violence.

National Assembly deputies from Nghe An province exchanged with National Assembly deputies from other provinces on the sidelines of the discussion session of the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended). Photo: Phan Hau

However, in my opinion, the provisions in the draft Law on the concept of gender-based domestic violence are still very general. Therefore, I have suggested that the Drafting Committee add more provisions to more fully identify gender-based violence in family relationships, especially manifestations of mental violence between husband and wife; between parents and children; and at the same time, add provisions for effective handling.

In addition, it is necessary to regulate pre-marital education, human rights education, education on how to be a wife, husband, grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, and child; and learn how to behave harmoniously among family relationships.

PV:The problem of domestic violence tends to be more serious, diverse and complex, leaving behind tragic and painful consequences for many families. How do you evaluate the role of men in activities to prevent and combat domestic violence?

Delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien:According to the results of the 2019 national survey on violence against women, 60.6% of perpetrators were men. Therefore, men's participation in activities to prevent domestic violence will inevitably contribute to changing the behavior of those who commit domestic violence; spreading positive values ​​to the community. Men's participation plays an important role in promoting gender equality and ending domestic violence.

Referring to some countries in the world, the “White Ribbon” campaign in Canada has engaged boys and men in preventing gender-based violence; they also have a domestic violence prevention education program for men by age group, from babies to old age. In Vietnam, there is also a “White Ribbon” campaign for men.

Delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien (second from right) discussed with female delegates about the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended). Photo: Phan Hau

Therefore, I think that the draft Law should have additional provisions prioritizing men's participation from propaganda and legal education to direct participation in activities to prevent domestic violence from within the family to the community, especially men's participation in the National Action Month to Prevent Domestic Violence.

PV:According to the 2020-2021 UNICEF Sustainable Development Goals Survey on Children and Women in Vietnam, up to 72.4% of children were subjected to at least one form of punishment by family members in the month before the survey? What does this number indicate, Madam?

Delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien:Many families are treating their children incorrectly, either by over-praising and overprotecting them; or by indulging them too easily; or by being too strict, imposing on them the wishes of their parents without respecting their personalities and abilities; or by leaving them to their grandparents or housekeepers... Recently, public opinion has been shocked by cases of children being brutally abused and sexually abused in their own families.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund in Vietnam, the rate of children suffering from depression is from 8-29%, there are more than 3 million children in need of mental health services. Children are victims of domestic violence. They are vulnerable and carry deep trauma throughout their lives.

Female National Assembly deputies from Nghe An delegation exchanged with National Assembly deputies from other delegations on the sidelines of the discussion session of the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended). Photo: Phan Hau

Educate children about domestic violence so that we will have families without violence in the future. Therefore, in this amendment to the law, I think it is necessary to add provisions to prevent domestic violence against children; educate children about domestic violence according to their age.

PV:Through research, it is known that the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended) has legalized acts to prevent domestic violence, or reconciliation. These are all issues that have been raised.,but in practice it is not easy to doAs a member of the Women's Union, having many times come into contact with, listened to, and resolved cases related to domestic violence, Ms.How do you look at this problem?

Delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien:The Draft Law has established provisions on measures to prohibit contact to prevent acts of violence. I completely agree, but it is necessary to stipulate specific conditions to ensure the feasibility of this provision, such as clearly defining the nature and extent of the incident to issue a decision to prohibit contact. In addition, I believe that the prohibition of contact does not require the opinion of the person being abused, except in special cases to avoid causing further harm and pressure to the victim of violence.

The issue of mediation has also been stipulated in the draft Law. However, in reality, from monitoring and understanding through work at the Provincial Women's Union, I see that domestic violence mediation still has many shortcomings. It is common in community mediation to close the door and protect each other, one forbearance is nine virtues... Thus, if mediation is not done properly, it will unintentionally cause double violence to the victim, giving rise to more violence. I think that there should be regulations that participants in mediation must be equipped with knowledge and skills about domestic violence, human rights and have gender sensitivity, not simply because of work responsibilities or feelings.

PV:It is a painful reality today that victims of domestic violence often do not seek help.. Many people believe that the main reason is that victims of domestic violence find it difficult to feel safe enough to confide in and rely on. As aPermanent Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union, and from a female perspective, what do you think about this reality?

Delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien:I think this is a sad reality. According to the Government's Report No. 100 dated March 28, 2022 on the draft Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control (amended), up to 90.4% of women who suffered physical or sexual violence from their husbands did not seek help. In my opinion, one of the reasons is that we do not have friendly enough domestic violence support facilities.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung explains and clarifies delegates' opinions on the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended). Photo: Quang Khanh

Currently, in addition to the system of trusted community addresses, the whole country has 3 "Peaceful Houses" established by the Vietnam Women's Union. The Peaceful Houses provide safety protection services, psychological counseling, legal support, and medical care for victims of domestic violence and their children. However, compared to some other countries, the number of peaceful houses in our country is still too small. In Korea in 2016, there were 36 Sunflower Centers, in Denmark there were 48 shelters.

Through this amendment to the law, I suggest that the Drafting Committee should evaluate the operation of the models and have specific regulations to improve the effectiveness of the models; replicate effective models, which are truly reliable addresses for victims of violence.

Causing domestic violence is causing pain to people living under the same roof, blood relatives, people you love, is hurting yourself. The most important effective way to prevent domestic violence is to change awareness, change behavior so that the family is truly a place we go and look forward to returning to, a place where we give and receive loving energy.

PV:Ask forThank you delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hienabout the exchange!

The amendment of the current Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control aims to perfect the institution on domestic violence prevention and control in the direction of strengthening measures to protect human rights according to the 2013 Constitution; improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state and social institutions as well as the role of families in this field, contributing to preserving good traditional cultural values ​​of the family and nation, promoting the country's socio-economic development in the new situation.

Draft Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (modify) consists of 6 chapters and 62 articles, including amending and supplementing the content of 42 articles in the current Law; completely re-building 17 articles; removing 3 articles, compared to the current Law, increasing 16 articles.