China vows heavier punishment for child abuse
October 25, 2013, 12:46 pm

The new rules seek to single out stricter action against carers of kids, outside families and most notably school teachers [Xinhua]

A number of recent sexual assaults on children has shocked the Asian nation with several involving teachers and their students.

“Heavier sentences should be handed down for offences committed by teachers and government personnel tasked with educating and protecting the victims,” according to a joint communique by legislative bodies in Beijing.

The guidelines were issued by the Supreme People’s Court (SPC), the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice.

“The guideline embodies the principle of ‘maximum protection’ for the victims and ‘minimum tolerance’ for the offenders,” said SPC Spokesman Sun Jungong at a press conference on Thursday.

The new rules seek to single out stricter action against carers of kids, outside families and most notably school teachers.

Harsher sentences will be ordered for offences involving preteens, and children in rural areas whose parents are working away from home.

Incidents involving vulnerable children, especially those with serious disabilities or, cases of violence or pregnancy would also face stricter charges.

Under the new guidelines, offenders serving suspended sentences could be banned from frequenting schools and excluded from jobs or activities involving minors.

The new document notes that suspended sentences are inappropriate for adults convicted of serious offences.

Any institutions involved may be liable for compensation to victims or their families.

New sets of rules will now be set in place to protect the privacy of victims, according to the document made public on Thursday.

In June this year a primary school principal in China’s Hainan Province was sentenced to 13.5 years in prison for raping six female students in a hotel.

A 56-year-old man in Henan province was also detained in May for molesting several pupils under his supervision.

Source: Agencies