BEIJING, CHINA, December 4, 2002: With the help of a Canadian-based campaign, the United Nations and a ground breaking television serial, China is waking up to the problem of domestic violence. The series, “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” burst into Chinese living rooms depicting graphic scenes of violence, mostly done at home and against women. Director Zhang Jiandong wanted to reflect many real life situations in China, where women stay in a violent relationship for too long before seeking outside help. While domestic violence has received much attention in the West, China’s ancient traditions make it difficult for social norms to change. Mr. Zhang’s high-impact approach may well be the kind of wake-up call China needs to address the problem. He also challenges stereotypes associated with domestic violence, such as the belief that only the uneducated are violent at home. He learned that 25 percent of abusers are educated, so the main characters in the TV series are a doctor, a teacher and a policeman. In a short time, the show has raised much-needed awareness on domestic violence, which also includes women beating men and the abuse of children and the elderly.
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