(kontumtv.vn) – Regarding the child abuse incident that occurred at Hoa Hong Shelter (L52 To Ky, Trung My Tay Ward, District 12), on the morning of September 4, the Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights sent a document to the People’s Committee of District 12, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and the District 12 Police Department, requesting consideration and handling of the individuals involved. The Association initially stated that the child abuse incident had occurred many times and over a long period of time…

Mr. Pham Dinh Nghinh, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Protection of Children's Rights, informed that the protection of children, especially children in special circumstances, has always been of concern to many levels and sectors and there are many support policies, creating conditions to help children live and develop in a safe and healthy environment. The incident that occurred at the Rose Shelter (where a large number of children are being cared for and raised, many of them newborns) is extremely serious in terms of behavior and level of violence. This affects the psychology, safety, health, life and many other potential risks for children...

In order to protect children according to the provisions of the Law on Children 2016, the Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Protection of Children's Rights requests the People's Committee of District 12, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and the District Police to promptly take measures to ensure the safety of children being managed, cared for and raised at the Rose Shelter. At the same time, take timely and appropriate measures to handle those who commit acts of violence and abuse against children, to prevent similar situations from happening.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Phung, Head of the Social Protection Department, Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City informed that as soon as the information was received, the Department went to and worked with the Hoa Hong Shelter. Through inspection, it was found that the Shelter has 86 children, of which room 101 has 15 children under 1 year old, room 202 has 37 children from 1 to about 3 years old; there are 31 children studying at Soc Bong kindergarten, 3 children are in the hospital.

District 12 police have invited the facility owner and the child abuser to the agency for questioning. District 12 People's Committee proposed to transfer all 86 children to a public social protection facility on September 4. The relevant parties will then screen and verify the families and relatives.

Thanh Vu (Vietnam News Agency)