Illustrative image (Source: OdishaSunTimes.com)Hanoi (VNA) –Improving capacity for officials at local levels in protecting children andstrengthening communications to raise children and their families’ awareness ofchildren’s rights and related laws are among effective ways to save childrenfrom violence and sexual abuse, heard a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on July14.
Statistics of theMinistry of Public Security and the UNICEF showed that averagely, about 1,800serious child violence cases are reported each year, including about 1,000 sexualabuse ones.
Meanwhile, the Ho ChiMinh City People’s Procuracy revealed that from 2012-2015, the agency investigated966 sexual abuse cases, mostly against children, with 826 defendants.
However, participantsheld that the figures have yet to reflect the real situation, as many childsexual abuse cases were not reported with different reasons.
According to NguyenVan Tinh, deputy head of the Office for Child Protection and Care under the HoChi Minh City Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, unhealthy entertainmentproducts are part of reasons behind the alarming violations and sexual abusesagainst children – the most vulnerable group.
Meanwhile, thereremain limitations in receiving and handling of child violence and abuse cases,he said.
Nguyen Thanh Huyen,Vice Director of the Criminal Police under the municipal Public Security Departmentsaid that most child abuse cases cannot find witnesses, while the victims are notaware of the consequences.
Many victims and theirfamilies do not cooperate with authorised agencies, especially in sexual abusecases, in fear of harm to their reputation, he said.
Dang Hoa Nam, head ofthe Department for Children Affairs under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids andSocial Affairs, stressed the need for stricter punishments on those committingviolations against children and conceal the cases.-VNA
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