The Mongolia Law on Domestic Violence and Abuse was approved in 2004. However, the rate of domestic violence has not decreased. Unfortunately, rates of murder and the involvement of children in domestic violence have increased. As of the 1st half of this year, 764 cases of domestic violence have been reported, an increase of 30.4% from last year. From 2010 through 2016, 95 people have lost their lives due to domestic violence. Research conducted by NGOs reveals that the level of unreported domestic violence could be 5 times higher than the official reported number.
The Law on Domestic Abuse and Violence had been revised and amended after 12 years. The revised edition was expected to be come into force on September 1, 2016 along with amendments to the Criminal Code, but was delayed. The decision to delay the law faced strong resistance by social groups seeking to protect thousands of women, children and elderly. As a result of social opposition, the government decided again to present the revised edition of the Law on Domestic Abuse and Violence to the Parliament on September 09, 2016.
The draft law was created with the goal to make domestic abuse a criminal offense and to allow for appropriate punishments for the promotion of safety for victims and prevention of the recurrence of domestic violence. Under previous laws, domestic abuse had been considered a minor offense punishable by a fine. If the revised edition is approved, domestic abuse will be a raised to be criminal offense. The revised edition of the Law on Domestic Violence and Abuse will include a punishment of 1-3 months of imprisonment for domestic violence, 3-24 months of imprisonment for torture. Under the new law, a neighbor will be legally responsible to report domestic violence to the police if they are aware of it.
The revised edition of the Law on Domestic Violence and Abuse is expected to be enacted at the beginning of the Parliament’s fall session this year.