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VIETNAM <br />34 <br />Several domestic and international NGOs worked to address domestic violence. <br />Hotlines for victims operated by domestic NGOs existed in major cities. The <br />Center for Women and Development, supported by the Women's Union, also <br />operated a nationwide hotline, although it was not widely advertised in rural areas. <br />It conducted 2,161 consultations regarding 1,858 cases during the year. While <br />rural areas often lacked the financial resources to provide crisis centers and <br />hotlines, a law establishes "reliable residences" to allow women to turn to another <br />family while local authorities and community leaders attempt to confront the <br />abuser and resolve complaints. Many women remained in abusive marriages <br />rather than confront social and family stigma as well as economic uncertainty. <br />The government, with the help of international NGOs, supported workshops and <br />seminars aimed at educating women and men about domestic violence and <br />women's rights in general and highlighted the problem through public awareness <br />campaigns. Local NGOs affiliated with the Women's Union remained engaged in <br />women's issues, particularly violence against women and trafficking of women <br />and children. <br />Sexual Harassment: According to the government, sexual harassment of adults is <br />not illegal, and there is no legal requirement to prevent it. There also is no law to <br />protect employees from sexual harassment in the workplace. However, the law <br />prohibits employers from discriminating against female workers or offending their <br />dignity and honor, although there were no known prosecutions during the year. <br />Publications and training on ethical regulations for government and other public <br />servants do not mention the problem, although it existed. <br />Victims of sexual harassment may contact social associations such as the Women's <br />Union to request their involvement. If the victim has access to a labor union <br />representative, complaints can also be lodged with union officers. In serious cases <br />victims may sue offenders under a provision that deals with "humiliating other <br />persons" and specifies punishments that include a warning, noncustodial reform for <br />up to two years, or a prison term ranging from three months to two years. <br />Nevertheless, sexual harassment lawsuits continued to be unheard of, and most <br />victims were unwilling to denounce offenders publicly. <br />Reproductive Rights: The law affirms an individual's right to choose <br />contraceptive methods; access gynecological diagnosis, treatment, and health <br />check -ups during pregnancy; and obtain medical services when giving birth at <br />health facilities, and the government generally enforced the law. Nonetheless, <br />unmarried women of reproductive ages had limited or no access to subsidized <br />