Child's correspondence detailing abuse sparks controversy over shortcomings in child protection services
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a 13-year-old boy in Hanoi has taken the brave step of filing letters seeking help after being subjected to mental and physical abuse by his stepmother for an extended period.
According to Clause 1, Article 37 of the 2013 Constitution, children have the right to being cared for and protected. Acts of abuse, maltreatment, neglect, and exploitation are strictly prohibited by law.
The boy, who lost his mother at the age of two and suffered abuse for years after his father remarried, has been subjected to scolding, threats, and physical abuse with objects like a phone, glass bottle, and comb. He was also forced to sit at his desk without studying and to slap himself in the face with a slipper until his mouth bled.
The case is especially tragic as the boy has had to endure these hardships without adequate protection. Local social welfare structures, the Health Ministry, Justice and Police, and Social Protection Centres have worked with children in special circumstances under Adoption and Child Protection laws. However, concrete reasons for the lack of early intervention in this case remain unclear, with inadequate coordinated prevention measures and the challenge of family violence being common causes.
Timely actions taken by authorities are positive signals showing they are working to minimise long-term harm to the child. On September 13, the ward's police coordinated with relevant agencies to verify the situation. Relatives have confirmed to media that the police have launched an investigation into the case.
Associate Professor Tran Thanh Nam, a child and adolescent psychology expert, emphasized the need for society to prioritise preventing domestic violence. Schools, he suggested, should train children to recognise signs of harm and equip them with knowledge about their rights, how to share secrets, and how to seek help.
The father in the case was conscious of his duty to protect and care for his child. Perpetrators of abuse can be fined between VND$10 million and VND$20 million, and depending on the severity of the abuse, offenders may also face criminal prosecution.
Ha Noi resident Thuý Hông expressed sympathy for the boy, questioning how such a case could exist in a relatively civilised city. The National Child Protection Hotline (111) has received several reports about the case. The boy was forced to sleep without blankets in winter and without air conditioning in summer, adding to his suffering.
The case reveals shortcomings in child protection agencies and school psychology services, according to Nam. As the authorities continue their investigation, it is crucial that they address these shortcomings to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in similar circumstances.
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