Discussing domestic violence

The actor has 17.36 million followers on China's Twitter-like platform.

"No matter for what reason, I should have never raised my fist and I'm ashamed of what I have done. I will not defend myself and will shoulder my responsibility and accept punishment," Jiang wrote on Weibo.

Some of Jiang's celebrity friends offered their support to him, calling him "a nice person" and said they were waiting for "the truth to come out".

The incident stirred debate on Chinese social media, also because the allegations surfaced around Nov 25, the UN-designated international anti-domestic violence day.

"Jiang's case reveals that domestic violence is universal. It exists in different countries and involves people from different walks of life, including celebrities," says Li Mingshun, a law professor at China Women's University.

Due to Jiang's celebrity status, some netizens and celebrities are on the defensive about his actions. It shows their lack of general knowledge of the law and awareness of the topic, Li adds.

"Some (in China) confuse it with relationship conflict and have no idea that it is violating the human rights of family members," he says.

He says women are the disadvantaged group in a society dominated by male-centered culture. Women often become victims of domestic violence and are often reproached and even humiliated if they try to speak out. Many blame victims and defend abusers.

China's anti-domestic violence law took effect on March 1, 2016.

"Abusers should be punished according to the law," says Ding Juan, director of the Maple Women's Psychological Counseling Center, a Beijing-based NGO, which established a hotline in 2004 to provide help to women experiencing domestic violence.

"You cannot use your good deeds like being kind to your friends to negate abusing a girlfriend," Ding says of the Jiang incident.

While physical wounds may heal as time passes by, recovering from the emotional trauma is tougher for victims, she adds.

"Also, children who witness family violence likely suffer psychological damage."

Ding says a man could beat his wife without consequence in China's feudal society. But now the situation is different with regard to gender equality. She says the most effective way to change the deep-rooted thinking is to properly enforce the new law. It brings legal protection for victims of domestic violence and offers them personal-protection orders.

The law also offers NGOs legal support when they help those who are in need. She says it's important to keep proof because family violence can be a legal reason for divorce.