Protecting children through the law.

Children are a particularly vulnerable group requiring care and protection due to their immaturity in understanding and lack of self-protection skills. When they become victims of abuse or legal issues, they often face significant difficulties in protecting their legal rights and interests. Therefore, legal aid is not only a humane policy but also a legal "shield" that helps children receive protection, support, and equal access to justice.

Báo Thanh Hóa•04/06/2026

Students at Phong Son Secondary School learn about children's right to legal aid.

One case that clearly demonstrates the role and humanity of legal aid is the effective handling by the Provincial State Legal Aid Center of a child sexual abuse and murder case that occurred in Hop Tien commune, formerly Trieu Son district. The perpetrator, Nguyen Van Hieu (born in 1992), from Hop Ly commune, formerly Trieu Son district, found an 11-year-old girl alone at home and sexually assaulted her, then stabbed her five times in an attempt to kill her. Thanks to timely intervention, local residents saved the victim's life, but she suffered serious injuries requiring lengthy treatment. The incident happened suddenly, and the victim's family, lacking legal knowledge, struggled to preserve evidence and provide information to authorities. Following the incident, along with the involvement of the police and prosecuting agencies, the Provincial State Legal Aid Center dispatched legal aid assistants to participate in the proceedings to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the victim.

Ms. Le Thu Hang, a legal aid assistant at the Provincial State Legal Aid Center – who was assigned the task of protecting the rights of the victim – shared: "The victim is a child, and suffered severe physical and mental trauma, making it very difficult to provide information. In addition, during the treatment and care of the patient, the victim's family could not fully account for the costs and injuries the victim suffered. The legal aid assistant guided the victim's family in collecting documents and details related to the case, including civil compensation costs, to request compensation from the defendant's family. The legal aid assistant also participated from the preparation stage of the trial to the conclusion of the case, maximizing the protection of the victim's legal rights and interests."

The case of Dao Quynh A (born in 2010) from Ha Trung commune, an orphan with a congenital mental disability, presents significant challenges in her daily life. She is currently being raised by her uncle. However, a relative has seized her inheritance. Upon receiving a request for legal aid from A's family, the Provincial State Legal Aid Center assisted in completing the necessary procedures, gathering information and evidence to protect her legal rights. To date, Dao Quynh A has received all her legitimate rights in accordance with the law.

Over the past period, the Provincial State Legal Aid Center has assigned legal aid assistants to participate in many cases involving children. In the first quarter of 2026, the center provided legal aid in 189 cases, including dozens of cases where children were victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence; and cases involving disputes over child custody and alimony. During the litigation process, legal aid assistants not only perform the function of defending and protecting the rights of children, but also coordinate with the prosecuting authorities to ensure child-friendly procedural processes in accordance with the law. This helps to minimize psychological trauma and create conditions for children to be heard and protected in the best possible way. Many cases have been resolved objectively and in accordance with the law, contributing to ensuring human rights, children's rights, and strengthening public trust in law enforcement agencies.

To improve access to legal services for children, the Provincial State Legal Aid Center has proactively coordinated with departments, agencies, and localities to implement numerous communication and legal dissemination activities tailored to different target groups. Legal awareness sessions are held at schools, vocational training centers, social welfare facilities, and village cultural centers, with content that is relatable and easy to understand. Many topics are developed around common issues faced by children, such as: preventing and combating school violence and child abuse; preventing child marriage; online safety; and children's rights and obligations under the law.

The Provincial State Legal Aid Center also regularly coordinates with the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Health , the Youth Union, law enforcement agencies, and local authorities to identify, receive, and support children in need of legal aid. Through a network of collaborators and contact points at the grassroots level, many cases of children at risk of abuse or facing legal difficulties have been detected early and provided timely support. Counseling, mediation, psychological support, and child protection are implemented synchronously, creating a comprehensive protection mechanism for children. In particular, coordinated communication programs on children's rights, gender equality, and the prevention and control of domestic violence and child abuse have contributed to raising awareness among the community, families, and schools in protecting children from life's risks.

Mr. Dang Van Duong, Deputy Director of the Provincial State Legal Aid Center, stated: "Recognizing that human resources are the decisive factor in the quality of legal aid services, Thanh Hoa province always prioritizes building a team of legal aid assistants with high professional qualifications, skills, and a strong sense of responsibility. We regularly organize training courses on children's rights, skills in participating in litigation involving minors, and skills in counseling and providing psychological support to children. This helps the legal aid staff improve their capabilities and meet the increasingly high demands in child protection."

With the results achieved, legal aid for children in Thanh Hoa is affirming its important role in protecting the legal rights and interests of minors. This is not only legal support, but also the concern and companionship of society to create a safe environment for children's comprehensive development.

Text and photos: Le Nu

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/bao-ve-tre-em-bang-phap-luat-289738.htm