Minister of Social Development and Human SecurityNikorn Somglangrepresented the government in proposing a draft bill to protect victims of domestic violence, aiming to accelerate victim protection, increase penalties, prevent recurrence, and unite collaborative networks.
On 18 Sep, Nikorn Somglang, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, said that on 17 Sep he was assigned by the Cabinet to present a draft bill on the Protection of Domestic Violence VictimsB.E. ...to the House of Representatives, aiming to improve the law protecting victims of domestic violence for greater effectiveness.It also provides clearer and more convenient mechanisms and measuresfor officials' duties, since the 2007 Domestic Violence Protection Act has been in effect for a long time.There are provisionsthat no longer fit current social conditions, lack clarity in protecting the rights of victims and affected family members, and create ambiguity for officials' work.
The draft bill is divided into five main sections: 1. Domestic violence acts, including defining offenses and provisions protecting good-faith reporters from civil, criminal, and administrative liability; 2. Protection of victims, detailing officials' duties and authority to enter crime scenes, provide medical examinations, ensure safe shelter, allow complaints under criminal procedure law, and case management for faster, effective protection; 3. Legal proceedings, including prohibitions on public advertisingor disseminationto protect privacy of all involved parties equally, clear jurisdiction in cases linked to criminal or other laws,and mandates creation of court plans to prevent and correct violent behavior; 4. Integration and joint operations among agencies, including budget management and data collection; and 5. Penalties, specifying criminal punishment for family members' offenses under section 6 and increased penalties for offenses against childrenor repeated offenseswithin three years, as well as cases where anyone prints, advertises,or disseminatesto the public any images, stories,or informationthat could reveal the identity of victims or perpetrators,except under specified exceptions.Nikorn further said the draft bill will establish appropriate measures, mechanisms, and proceduresaligned
with current conditions, enabling more effective prevention and resolution of domestic violence issues. It will also help curb and reduce economic, health, educational, and other social problems, contributing to social and national order in the future.