Illustrative image (Source: Internet) Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister VuDuc Dam has ordered relevant ministries to strengthen measures to preventsexual abuse of and violence against children.
The order comes following media exposure ofseveral cases of child abuse that has sparked public outrage across the nation.
In the newly-issued document, Deputy PM Damassigns the Ministry Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to take the lead andwork with relevant ministries, sectors and agencies to propose measures andimplement them.
The Ministry of Education and Training will beresponsible for equipping students with skills and measures to improve theircapacity to identify and avoid sexual harassment.
Public outcry over the recently reportedincrease in child sexual abuse cases has prompted authorities to enforcechildren’s rights and scrutinise implementation of international conventionsthat the nation has signed to ensure the protection of children’s rights inparticular and human rights in general.
Two months ago, a mother in Hanoi filed acomplaint with Thinh Liet ward’s police in Hoang Mai district about hereight-year-old daughter being sexually abused by Cao Manh Hung, who lived in arented house nearby. Last week, the police arrested Hung for furtherinvestigation into the alleged child molestation.
A seven-year-old girl in Thu Duc district, HCMCity, was abused at school and seriously injured on February 14 this year. Thechild said she was attacked by a man in her school, which is located in thesame district.
A year ago, a mother in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tauprovince reported to the police that her daughter and seven other children inher apartment building were abused by an elderly man living nearby.
In several cases, authorities initially declinedto take follow-up action, citing lack of evidence, or sat on the petitionwithout giving reasons for their inaction.-VNA
