Domestic violence 'a social problem', not a private one

Nearly 40 percent of Chinese women who are married or involved in a relationship experience physical or sexual violence, a report has found.

The All-China Women's Federation report, released on Monday, said that domestic violence in China remains a severe problem.

"Domestic violence is illegal and affects family members physically and psychologically. It is not a private issue but a social problem," said Tan Lin, head of the federation.