Courts target child abuse done under guise of 'strict parenting'

Joint efforts urged

Given the hidden nature of violent discipline of minors, Xu called for the wide sharing of relevant information among community committees, schools, public security organs, hospitals and women's federations.

"For instance, if a school or community committee suspects a child is experiencing domestic violence, they should immediately share the situation with the local police station and local women's federation," he said.

Taking into account the challenges in gathering evidence in such cases, he also suggested that authorities form a specialist team of investigators. "After being trained, this team can aim to enhance professionalism in handling such cases and provide necessary psychological support for minors who are victims," he noted.

The psychological abuse inflicted by some parents through insults and denigration is generally less noticeable than physical harm, he said. Investigators should be encouraged to pay more attention to children's emotional states, such as excessive anxiety, frequent nightmares, insomnia, diminished social skills or aggressive behavior toward peers.

"If such behaviors are observed, it is crucial to promptly refer the child to a medical institution for treatment and retain the diagnosis reports for conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder," he said, adding that these reports serve as compelling evidence of the consequences of domestic violence.

Li Jing, a legal professional from the China Institute of Applied Jurisprudence, said whether inside or outside the home, committing violence is illegal. Those experiencing domestic violence should make a report to the police and apply for a personal safety protection order from the courts as soon as possible, she said.

Village and community committees, women's federations, civil affairs departments and employers also have the duty to assist the victims in protecting their legitimate rights, Li said.

She said psychological violence is also a form of domestic violence. Even if individuals are not family members, those experiencing harm in a cohabiting situation, and romantic or post-divorce relationships, are also entitled to seek legal protection, Li said.

Luo Shuang, an associate professor of family education at the Capital Normal University in Beijing, suggested that for some divorced or single-parent families, their neighborhoods can offer family education guidance and provide support to build harmonious family relationships.

"Children are individuals with independent personalities and unique characteristics. Parents should respect minors and avoid treating them as objects to be controlled, and not use grades and scores as the sole criteria for evaluation," China Women's News quoted her as saying.

"Parents should also be tolerant, balancing discipline with kindness, using punishment cautiously and refraining from domestic violence," she added.

"It's also essential to provide children with life education, telling them to cherish life and enhancing their legal awareness and ability for self-protection."