Chairman of the National Assembly's Law Committee: Solutions are needed to prevent and combat child abuse

On the afternoon of August 22, the National Assembly's Supervisory Delegation "Implementation of policies and laws on prevention and control of child abuse" led by Comrade Le Thi Nga - Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the National Assembly Standing Committee, Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Judicial Committee had a working session with the People's Committee of Nghe An province.

Attending the meeting were comrades: Nguyen Dac Vinh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Thai Thanh Quy - Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; comrades in the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee; leaders of provincial departments, branches and sectors. Photo: Thanh Le

Child abuse cases are increasingly dangerous.

The report on the implementation of policies and laws on child abuse prevention and control by the Provincial People's Committee affirmed: In recent times, all levels, sectors and localities have paid attention to the work of child care and education, especially the prevention and control of child abuse, especially cases occurring in the area, and have promptly taken action.

Law enforcement agencies have closely coordinated to investigate, prosecute and promptly bring to trial a number of child abuse cases. However, the situation of child abuse crimes in the area is still complicated, with emerging acts such as: sexual intercourse with children, child trafficking; school violence still occurs in some schools.

Comrade Le Thi Nga speaks at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Le

In particular, in recent years, a new trick has been discovered: subjects seek out families with pregnant women about to give birth in mountainous areas and ethnic minorities to lure them, take them to China to give birth, and then sell them to Chinese people.

Child abuse cases are increasingly dangerous, with some cases of children being abused at a very young age. The offenders’ actions are cruel and inhumane. The offenders include teachers and even relatives of the victims. The consequences of the offenders on children, families and society are enormous.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh affirmed that the province pays special attention to directing the work of caring for and protecting children. Photo: Thanh Le

During the discussion at the meeting, members of the monitoring delegation requested Nghe An province to clarify a number of issues: Difficulties and obstacles in the investigation, prosecution and trial of child sexual abuse cases; shortcomings and obstacles in forensic examination; and staff working in child care and protection.

The delegation also requested the province to clarify: Investment resources for child abuse prevention and control services; budget support for intervention for abused children; measures to support especially difficult circumstances; resources for arrangement and staff for child work; the role of the youth and women's union in child care and protection; prevention of domestic violence; propaganda measures in mountainous areas and ethnic minorities.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy speaks at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Le

According to the report of the Provincial People's Committee, in the period 2015 - June 2019, the whole province had 113 children abused. The two-level court of Nghe An province accepted 113 cases/143 defendants at first instance, and tried 109 cases/136 defendants on child abuse cases.

Building a safe and healthy living environment

Speaking at the meeting, the Provincial Party Secretary affirmed: Over the past years, Nghe An province has always paid attention to leading and directing the issuance of many documents on the field of children's work in general and child abuse prevention in particular. At the same time, it has integrated goals on children into the Resolution and annual socio-economic development plan of the province.

During the period 2015 - June 2019, 71 documents were issued to lead and direct children's work in general, including 28 documents on preventing and combating child abuse in particular.

However, the province has a large area, a large population, many regions, and uneven educational levels. In addition, the negative side of the market economy has had significant impacts on people's lives... therefore, child abuse still occurs, especially in mountainous areas and among ethnic minorities.

In the spirit of seriously accepting the opinions of the National Assembly's supervisory delegation members, the Provincial Party Committee will continue to direct all levels and branches to overcome difficulties to better implement policies and laws on preventing and combating child abuse.

Major General Nguyen Huu Cau - Director of the Provincial Police Department informed about child abuse cases in the area. Photo: Thanh Le

Concluding the meeting, comrade Le Thi Nga acknowledged and highly appreciated the work of child care and protection in Nghe An province.

The Chairman of the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee noted that in the coming time, the province should pay attention to issuing documents; having appropriate forms of propaganda for each target group to disseminate laws and skills on child care and protection; building a safe and healthy living environment; and promptly intervening to support abused children.

In addition, socio-political organizations need to strengthen inspection, supervision and detection of cases. The province should conduct specialized inspections on child abuse; strengthen coordination at all levels and sectors, and pay attention to investing funds for child care and protection work, etc.

In particular, the province needs to base on situation forecasts to propose practical preventive solutions for localities to further improve the effectiveness of child care and protection work.

Regarding the recommendations of the province, the National Assembly's monitoring delegation received and synthesized the report with recommendations from relevant ministries, branches and sectors to recommend the National Assembly to amend and supplement guiding documents and related laws.