Close to one out of 10 families in Shanghai have domestic violence problems, despite Shanghai men's reputation of being henpecked, a survey has found.

 

The survey, conducted by the website www.smmail.cn, showed that 7 percent of the 4,500 interviewed admitted to being victims of domestic violence.

 

In addition, another 9 percent said violence "seemed to" have happened, but they are not sure whether it was serious enough to be called "domestic violence."

 

Of those asked if they had experienced a "cold war," referring to a couple lacking communication and often nit-picking at each other, 9 percent of interviewees said they had.

 

The results were reiterated by the fact that 560 calls were made to a hotline against domestic violence set up by the Shanghai Women's Federation earlier this year.

 

The survey, revealed during the International Day to Eradicate Violence against Women on Saturday, also quoted irreconcilable differences, extra-marital affairs and the attacker's psychological problems as the major causes of domestic violence.

 

The results were particularly striking in Shanghai, where men benefit from a reputation for being sensitive and calm compared to those in other parts of China.

 

Forty-nine percent of those surveyed held the opinion that the attackers were mostly men, who are often serious male chauvinists, or have habits such as alcoholism or gambling.

 

Twenty-six percent of domestic violence happened due to long-term sickness or health problems, making a partner unable to satisfy the sexual needs of his/her spouse, according to the survey.

 

About 37 percent of the violence occurred because some women, who were laid off from work or have health problems, are economically reliant on their husbands.

 

Forty-two percent said abuse happens as a result of women over-indulging their husbands.

 

The majority of people in Shanghai said they would call the police if domestic violence occurred with only 5 percent calling it "just a family issue."

 

Over half of those interviewed would seek end domestic violence through working out solutions to conflicts, while 12 percent would choose to divorce.

 

Still, a small number of people would elect to hide their head in the sand by ignoring the unhappy experience or simply bearing it "in silence."

 

(China Daily November 27, 2006)