Major steps to fight violence against children announced

Beijing, 4 December 2013 – A series of important new tools and public awareness initiatives to fight violence against children in China were presented to the media today in Beijing. Titled "Take Action Together – End Violence Against Children," the event was jointly organized by the Department for Women's Rights and Interests, All China Women's Federation (ACWF) and the United Nations Children's Fund, China Office (UNICEF). Senior leaders from both organizations were on hand to support the launch.

"We have advocated for child protection and disseminated the knowledge to prevent violence against children," said Madame Tan Lin, Member of the Secretariat of CPC, All China Women's Federation. "However, such work is far from enough. First, the idea of 'children first' has not been fully understood or practiced by the public; second, the legal system protecting children's rights has not been well developed, neither has the working mechanism on child protection."

A new community response toolkit was presented at the event, consisting of practical child protection guidelines for local authorities, a manual on operating a family violence telephone hotline and other important tools for better coordinated community level action. ACWF operates the "12338" hotline to support women and children, connecting callers in any part of China with local support services. 

Ms. Geeta Rao Gupta, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, making her first visit to China for UNICEF said: "Today is a very important day, not just because we are raising a national call to join the fight to end violence against children, but also, because the messages and materials we are introducing here will greatly add to the tools that are available to fight this most serious global problem for children."

According to a retrospective national study by Professor Chen Jingqi, of Beijing University, on average 1-2 children in every classroom had experienced some form of serious abuse or violence, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse.The 2005 study, conducted in five provinces and Beijing, was supported by UNICEF.

"Violence against children is often invisible, and it takes several different forms, but its consequences usually last a lifetime," said Gillian Mellsop, UNICEF China Representative. "Because of its serious long term negative consequences, possibly affecting 20 to 30 per cent of children, the impact of violence goes far beyond the family. It adds substantial economic costs to society." 

Also taking part in the event was well known cinema artist Maggie Cheung, in her capacity as UNICEF Ambassador for China. Maggie Cheung helped premier a short documentary highlighting community actions being implemented by ACWF with UNICEF support.

Her moving film shows in rich detail how rural communities are working together – local government, social workers, police, parents, teachers and children – to support the 12338 hotline, identify children at risk of violence, coordinate prevention and response from all concerned branches of government. The anti-violence against children project is being implemented in Tianjin, Hubei, Jiangsu and Yunnan.

The China version of UNICEF's global "Make the Invisible Visible" television public service announcement, starring Chinese film actor Chen Kun, was also premiered at the event. The hard-hitting PSA addresses the invisibility of violence and refers the public to ACWF's national hotline: "12338" to support women and children. Chen was appointed as UNICEF China Ambassador in 2012.

Chen Kun has pledged to help promote a major social media effort organized by UNICEF under the theme #无视即伤害. The campaign aims to spark a nationwide discussion about practical measures to end violence against children, and was developed with the support of the Beijing interactive media group VML-IM2.0.

"We are greatly encouraged by the good results being demonstrated in our pilot project with ACWF to build community child protection systems", said Gillian Mellsop. "There is a huge need for gathering better evidence about the causes and solutions to violence. That said, the most effective interventions are simple and relatively low in cost: parenthood training, home visitation by medical and social work professionals and life skills education for children and adolescents."