BEIJING - Chinese lawmakers are considering whether to make a separate law against domestic violence, according to a report approved by China's top legislature on Saturday.

More research is needed to determine whether to amend current laws to fight domestic violence or to make a separate law, the Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs of the National People's Congress (NPC) said in a report to the NPC Standing Committee.

The Commission for Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee is assessing the feasibility of such a law. Based on the outcome, the lawmakers will finally make their decision.

The law was listed as one of the alternative items of the NPC Standing Committee's legislative agenda in 2011, the report says.

Lack of a law on domestic violence contribute to the frequent incidence and increasing victims of this crime, some lawmakers said in the annual legislative session in March.

Inadequate efforts of relevant government departments in curbing domestic violence, and people's negligence of legal awareness have deteriorated the crime, says the report.

About 24.7 percent of Chinese women have experienced domestic abuse, according to the statistics from the All-China Women's Federation that were released on October 21.

Domestic abuse became a big story last month after a scandal in which a Chinese celebrity was caught beating his American wife.

Li Yang, the founder of popular "Crazy English" teaching method, was strongly condemned by the public after his wife posted pictures online depicting injuries he inflicted upon her.