Minors’ Protection

People’s Daily June 19

Nine administrations, including the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, recently issued a document about building a mandatory reporting system to protect minors. It asks that cases in nine categories, including sexual abuse, bullying and trafficking, should be reported to the public security organs as soon as they are discovered. This is significant for strengthening the juvenile protection system with a social prevention mechanism.

Violation of minors’ rights has its special characteristics, which requires law enforcement and judicial organs to treat it differently. For instance, compared to adults, juveniles lack awareness and self-protection ability. Some are afraid and unwilling to speak out or even do not know how to seek help after being abused.

The reporting system will ensure cases are discovered promptly and prevent criminals from escaping punishment because of loss of evidence. At the same time, it will raise people’s sense of responsibility and will help form a protection mechanism for minors combining prevention, timely detection and an efficient emergency response and legal punishment.

Psychological intervention, judicial assistance and juveniles’ legitimate rights and interests are also included in the mandatory reporting system.