Harsh penalties for harsh guardians

Writer: Wang Jingli  |  Editor: Holly Wang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2020-05-27

Parental guardians who use violence or physical force that is harmful to young children’s psychological and mental health might have their children taken away by the authorities, according to one of the 36 measures released recently by Futian District to protect minors.

Concerning physical abuse of minors, one of the measures said that the judicial authorities are eligible to require guardians who used violence to receive educational guidance.

They can issue punishments if guardians refuse the education. If they still refuse to correct their violent behavior despite repeated education, authorities can cancel their guardianship and entitle the civil affairs authority to take care of the minors as a guardian.

The 36 measures, including an opinion on minors’ protection, were passed in a meeting held by the Futian District Party committee recently, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

In addition, a minor protection service center will be set up to provide consultation and related services.

Schools, families and social organizations will join hands to protect minors together. It will also encourage social workers and volunteers to join in the effort, according to the opinion.

The measures also mention the role of family education and advise parents to enhance their supervision of children.

Another highlight of the measures is that technology, such as information technology and big data application, will be utilized in the analysis, prediction and judgment of cases concerning the rights of minors.

Online information technology will be applied to conduct online education on the rule of law.

The final goal of the move is to build a comprehensive protection system for minors, build a law-based protection system, and create a safe environment for growth, the Daily report said, quoting Futian officials.

The protection of minors has been one of Futian’s major tasks in recent years. The district established a coordination group for the protection of minors last year.

The district aims to use its experience in protecting minors and then share its knowledge with other districts and cities, said the report.