The southern province of Guangdong has drafted a new domestic violence regulation that would expand the scope of abuse and add measures to protect minors from such acts, Beijing Youth Daily reported Sunday.

According to the draft regulation, behaviors such as humiliation, slander, privacy violations, threats, stalking, and harassment have been defined as non-physical domestic violence. The draft also classifies minors who witness domestic violence as victims of such acts.

Chen Yongkang, vice director of the provincial government body that drafted the regulation, said the scope of the law would be broadened due to growing instances of abuse on the internet, adding that disgruntled partners leaking private information or abusing each other online has become common.

Since China enacted its first domestic violence law in March 2016, provincial governments have also issued their own regulations. This March, the All-China Women’s Federation branch in the central Hunan province announced it would help male victims of domestic violence secure personal protection orders, expanding their application to include all victims irrespective of gender. (Image: VCG)