The Vietnamese Police Response to Domestic Violence Against Women: The Family Unit Under Pressure

The traditional family unit has historically been considered a fundamental element of Vietnamese society. Despite legislation which has declared the equality of men and women, in reality, household gender roles remain fixed and often unequal, and family members are not expected to deviate from the norm. Men hold the dominant position within the household, and the belief that the husband can legitimately use violence to discipline his wife is used by both men and women to justify abuse. A 2010 government report found high proportions of women had experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse, with families pressured to reconcile at all costs rather than seek assistance from the police. This chapter explores the impact of these societal pressures on the capacity of the police to respond to family-based violence within Vietnam.