Amended Criminal Law Punishes Sexual Assault Severely

Brief Description

The “Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China (Amendment IX)”, which has been implemented since November 1, 2015, severely punishes the sexual assault against girls. The law expands the subject of the “crimes of abuse” which was restricted to family members. The subject is now extending to those who have the responsibility of guardianship over the minor, the elderly, the sick and the disabled. The Amendment stipulates that the crimes of abuse may be converted from a private prosecution to a public prosecution case, and the national procuratorial bodies shall initiate the public prosecution. The revised criminal law clarifies that all acts of buying and selling women are dealt with as crimes.