 |
| A mock trial of a child abuse case__Photo: baophapluat.vn |
Ho Chi Minh City has introduced a set of cultural development criteria for communes and wards for the 2025-30 period, aiming to strengthen domestic violence prevention and create a safer, healthier living environment.
Accordingly, commune-level administrations are required to establish and effectively operate community-based domestic violence prevention models. The city aims to ensure that at least 98 per cent of detected domestic violence cases are handled in accordance with law and that all victims receive immediate access to essential support services.
Recognising that penalties alone are insufficient to prevent domestic violence, the city has incorporated prevention measures into broader cultural development criteria, with particular emphasis on early intervention at the grassroots level. In light of this, at least 80 per cent of young men and women will be provided with premarital counselling and education on building happy families, while at least 85 per cent of households are expected to receive information and skills training on preventing domestic violence.
Localities must also develop models to raise public awareness and encourage legal compliance, while all officials in charge of cultural and social affairs are to receive professional training to improve their capacity to advise on and operate victim support services. Officials who conceal violations, neglect their responsibilities or breach codes of conduct may face disciplinary measures, administrative penalties or criminal prosecution, depending on the nature and severity of their offences. Meanwhile, community conventions and regulations in residential quarters are required to include provisions promoting moral values, healthy lifestyles and family ethics.
According to Dr. Do Thanh Trung, a lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, one of the biggest obstacles to preventing domestic violence is the perception that family disputes are private matters, leading to indifference among community members.
He said the introduction of specific, measurable targets represented a shift in local governance towards greater accountability.
In particular, making the handling of at least 98 per cent of detected domestic violence cases a performance criterion would require chairpersons of commune-level People’s Committees and local public security officers to take a more proactive role in receiving, monitoring and handling reports, helping prevent delays, the evasion of responsibility and the concealment of violations.
The requirement to provide immediate support to all victims also places greater emphasis on protecting their safety, health and psychological well-being, particularly among vulnerable groups such as women, children and old people.
Community-based prevention models are expected to strengthen early intervention through hotlines, mediation teams and trusted shelters, helping identify and address domestic violence risks before incidents escalate.
Trung stressed that the initiative also reinforced citizens’ right to live in safety and seek protection from local authorities when domestic violence occurs.
Combining premarital education, improvement of legal awareness, early intervention and stronger enforcement is expected to help the city prevent domestic violence more effectively and foster a safer, more supportive environment for families.-
