Retirees encouraged to help with child protection

Retired professionals in China are being encouraged to help with counseling and legal support as part of a new initiative to enhance child protection.

The initiative was outlined in a guideline released on Friday by a number of State bodies, including the Supreme People's Court, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Justice.

The Supreme People's Court stated that involving retired professionals would enhance ongoing efforts to create a more comprehensive social support system for juvenile judicial protection. The court added that it would also promote better coordination among families, schools, communities, online platforms, government bodies and judicial authorities, ultimately aiding in the prevention of harm and delinquency and supporting the healthy development of minors.

According to the guideline, eligible candidates nominated by former workplaces or community committees and approved by the courts can participate in juvenile protection efforts. Approved individuals will undergo pre-service training led by the courts to familiarize them with juvenile protection laws and regulations. They can then assist by counseling minors who have experienced abuse or are experiencing psychological trouble, and by reaching out to vulnerable groups such as children in legal trouble, migrant children, left-behind children and those suffering from internet addiction, ensuring they receive necessary support and attention.

The guideline specifies that participants should generally be under 70 years of age and have expertise in fields like law, education, mediation or psychological counseling. Priority will be given to those with teaching, legal or counseling certifications.

Courts will be responsible for providing office space, equipment, reference materials and security support for participants, as well as addressing any operational challenges and securing funding for the initiatives.

The guideline states that all relevant departments will be required to support the program, establish coordination channels and collect necessary data.