来源:China Daily 2007年9月25日 第5版

Law tightened on sexual harassment

By Chen Hong

Authorities in South China's Guangdong Province have agreed an amendment to the law to provide women with better protection from sexual harassment at work and at home.

The legislative body passed an amendment to regulations on how to implement the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women, which will come into effect on Monday.

The law has been expanded from 23 clauses to 46 and provides detailed guidelines on family violations, sexual harassment and women's employment.

"The legislators have introduced some constructive and inventive measures to protect the rights and interests of women," You Zhilong, a senior lawyer with Guangdong Geenen Law Office, said yesterday.

For the first time the regulations define sexual harassment, which includes inappropriate behavior and language, and characterizations, pictures, images or digital information about sex.

The regulations specify that companies and the administrations of public places are responsibile for preventing and stopping sexual harassment of women by creating an appropriate environment and implementing a suitable investigation system for complaints.

"A clear definition is vital for lawyers to collect evidence. It will encourage women to protect their legal rights," You said.

Mental torture has also been identified as a kind of family violence for the first time, alongside assault, restriction of personal freedom and other forms of physical harm.

The amended regulations specify that government and non-governmental organizations have a responsibility to accept complaints, make investigations, collect evidence to stop family violations and provide temporary shelters for victims.

The regulations also state offenders will be punished according to the law.

"The local regulations highlight some hot issues and provide countermeasures, which could better protect the rights and interests of women," Zhao Donghua, chairwoman of the Guangdong Women's Federation, said.

(China Daily 09/25/2007 page5)


    中文大意:

加强性骚扰立法

    陈虹
    中国南部广东省当局已经通过立法修订,为妇女提供较好的保护以避免来自于工作和家庭的性骚扰。
    立法机关通过了对如何实施《妇女权益保障法》规定的修订,并将于下周一实施。
    该法规从原有的23条增加到46条,对家庭暴力、性骚扰和妇女的就业等作出详细规定。
    “立法者对妇女权益的保护出台了一些建设性和创造性的举措。”广东经纶律师事务所游植龙高级律师昨天说。
    因为该办法第一次定义了性骚扰,与性有关的不恰当的行为、语言、文字、图片、图像、电子信息等属于性骚扰。
    办法规定用人单位和公共场所管理单位有义务通过建立适当的环境、制定必要的调查投诉制度来预防和制止对妇女的性骚扰。
    “清晰的定义对律师取证是至关重要的。这将鼓励妇女保护她们的合法权利。” 游律师说。
    精神伤害也第一次规定为家庭暴力的一种形式,与欧打、限制人身自由和其他形式的肉体伤害一样属于家庭暴力。
    修订办法规定政府和非政府机构有责任接受投诉,做好调查工作,收集证据以制止家庭暴力,为受害妇女提供临时避难所。
    办法也规定了违法行为人将依法受到惩罚。
    “地方规章突出一些热点问题并采取对策,这能较好地保护妇女权益。”广东省妇联主席赵东花说。
                                   (中国日报 2007年9月25日 第5页)


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