The Prime Minister has passed the National Action Programme on the prevention of domestic violence through 2020, according to the Government Portal.

The programme targets to raise awareness of all levels, sectors and the community on the prevention of domestic violence, and gradually reduce the number of the cases nationwide.

Under the programme, communication events and campaigns against domestic violence will be held annually at national, community and family levels.

Victims of the evil would receive further support services like medical check-ups and temporary shelters.

Mass organisations, communities and people are encouraged to join hands in the fight while a fund which supports victims would be set up.

According to a report released at the launch of the Vietnam Family Year 2013, as many as 178,847 domestic violence cases were recorded between 2009 and June 2012, of which more than 16,000 cases involve the elders and 23,300 others, children, with the majority of the rest involving spouses, mostly wives.

A third of married or divorced persons admitted to being a victim of domestic violence, according to the report, which also said thousands of divorces have taken place.-VNA