Concerns about solutions to prevent child abuse and violence
(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of August 6, an online conference of the Government took place on child protection and solutions to prevent violence and child abuse.
The conference was chaired by Comrade Nguyen Xuan Phuc - Politburo member,Prime Ministerchaired. Also attending were Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam - Chairman of the National Committee for Children; representatives of relevant ministries, departments and branches.
Nghe An bridge point was chaired by comrade Le Minh Thong - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, with the participation of representatives of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the National Assembly Delegation; representatives of relevant departments, branches and sectors.
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| Delegates attending the online conference at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Thanh Nga |
Every year, Vietnam has an average of 2,000 cases of child violence and sexual abuse, accounting for more than 60%. Most acts and cases of violence and abuse are only discovered and prosecuted when they reach the criminal threshold, so the above number is just the "tip" of the iceberg.
In this “surface” area, there are 28 provinces and cities where in either 2016 or 2017, from 30 to 110 abused children were criminally prosecuted. In the past two years, although the number of cases has not increased, the nature of violence and child abuse cases has become increasingly serious and complicated, causing outrage in society.
The reason why this situation is complicated and tends to be serious, according to the delegates attending the conference, is because the inspection work of state management agencies on violations of children's rights, including child violence, has not been focused on, so there has not been a positive preventive and deterrent effect. When cases of violence and child abuse occur, there is still a phenomenon of local authorities and educational institutions not informing and reporting to the authorities and competent authorities but trying to handle the case.
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| A communication program on child sexual abuse was held at a school in Cua Lo Town (Nghe An) in 2017. Photo: Document |
Most cases are only reported after all evidence has been erased; the victims are still young and psychologically disturbed after being abused or assaulted, so their statements are not accurate; most victims' families want to reach an agreement themselves.
Some solutions proposed at the conference revolved around improving communication work; procedures for handling cases of violence and child abuse need to be re-examined and have higher penalties; equipping children and guardians with skills, with special attention paid to the specific nature of the environment and region.
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| Vietnam has more than 1,000 children sexually abused each year. Illustrative photo. |
Speaking at the conference, comrade Le Minh Thong said: In 2017, Nghe An had 10 cases related to child abuse and violence. Since the beginning of the year, 4 cases have occurred, a downward trend compared to the same period in 2017.
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| Comrade Le Minh Thong speaks at the conference. Photo: Thanh Nga |
He affirmed that in the coming time, all levels of sectors and localities in the province will step up propaganda, education and training to raise awareness of preventing violence and child abuse; build a model to provide connection of health care assistance services, education, legal aid and basic social services for children who have been abused or are at risk of violence and exploitation.
At the same time, he hoped that central ministries and branches would pay more attention to training to improve the capacity of staff working with children; and need to connect the national child protection hotline at the provincial and district levels. At the same time, support communication products, especially those in the Mong, Thai and Khmu languages.
Concluding the conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed: Given the situation where children are at risk of serious harm and abuse in many environments and spaces, local authorities and sectors need to review the process of child care and protection. Accordingly, it is necessary to consider why there are many cases of violence and child abuse in reality but few are brought to light.
Have state and local management agencies really understood and paid attention to the 25 children's rights stated in the international convention? Is child abuse and violence, which are becoming increasingly complicated, really a concern for all levels and sectors? There are many child protection agencies, but in reality, the number of children being abused and harmed is getting more serious. Once again, we need to seriously review this and have more specific and practical solutions.
The Prime Minister requested: In the coming time, Party committees, local authorities, ministries and branches need to have a more complete and deeper awareness of children's rights; must protect children every day, every hour in appropriate forms. Strengthen education on ethics and lifestyle in schools and families. It is necessary to continue providing legal knowledge to the whole society on child protection and care; research on commune-level child protection models.
Handling cases of child abuse and violence must be done in a friendly and effective manner, creating trust for the victim's family and the masses.
Of the 2,000 children who are subjected to violence and abuse nationwide each year, 21.3% are sexually abused by family members (biological father, stepfather, brother, cousin...); 6.2% by teachers and school staff; 59.9% by acquaintances and neighbors; and 12.6% by other subjects.
An estimated 68.4% of children aged 1-14 years old are subjected to at least one physical or psychological punishment by family members.