Punish attackers instead of blaming victims

Editor's note: A man was caught on a close-circuit television camera punching a woman in the face and kicking her in the abdomen and head after she falls on the ground around midnight on June 22 in Dalian, Liaoning province. The attack has raised people's concern over the safety of women in the city late at night, with many wondering whether the assailant will get the punishment he deserves. Two experts share their views on the incident with China Daily's Yao Yuxin. Excerpts follow:

Women out at night should be on guard

In the CCTV footage, the woman is seen walking alone while looking at her mobile phone and not noticing the assailant until he walks up to her and punches her.

The woman, instead of being alert while walking alone at midnight, was glued to her mobile phone and therefore was not prepared to avoid any danger. It is important that everyone, especially those who are out on the streets alone late at night, be on their guard so they can protect themselves against unexpected dangers including attacks, buy more time to escape or minimize their injuries.

Also, parents and teachers are obliged to teach children, especially girls, from a young age that, in face of danger, their first priority should to save their life, not their belongings no matter how valuable they are.

It is unbecoming of some people to blame female victims for inviting sexual harassment, even rape, because of their appearance or “skimpy clothes”. Such remarks should be strongly condemned.

Commenting on the violent attack on the woman in Dalian, some people have said that women better not go out alone late at night in order to avoid trouble. This is ludicrous because, instead of blaming such victims, we should focus on bringing the assailants to justice in order to make society feel safer. But it is also important to remind women that they should always be on their guard when they are out alone late at night.

Liu Minghui, a professor at the School of Law, China Women’s University

Police should more strictly enforce law

A statement the local police posted on Weibo said the 31-year-old assailant punched and kicked the 29-year-old victim for more than one minute. He came across the victim around midnight after having a few drinks following a serious argument with his girlfriend. The statement also said the woman suffered soft tissue injuries in the face and has been discharged from the hospital after treatment.

The incident has caused consternation among women. So to ease their fears, as well as prevent possible criminal attacks on women and make people in general feel safer, the police should strengthen law enforcement.

The police should also make efforts to dispose of assault cases as fast as possible to make people know that law enforcers are doing their job sincerely, especially because the Dalian police issued their first statement three days after the incident took place.

They should also make public information related to the case in a timely manner to prevent speculations and rumors from doing the rounds.

Yue Chenshan, a lawyer of the Beijing Yuecheng Law Firm