Over 7,000 women receive legal aid from association

China's largest women's association said on Thursday that it offered legal aid to over 7,000 applicants in 2012.

The majority of the cases involved domestic violence, marriage and family disputes, according to a statement from the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF).

The ACWF also received and handled about 15,000 petitions and calls from women across the country last year, the statement said.

The organization's work has helped to protect the interests of women and children while promoting social harmony and stability, it added.

The ACWF and other government agencies have made joint efforts to curb domestic violence by setting up organizations to provide counseling and legal aid for women.

A 2007 ACWF survey indicated that domestic violence had taken place in 30 percent of China's 270 million households, with about 85 percent of the victims being female.

Up to 10,000 couples divorced due to domestic violence, according to the survey.