Forum aims to prevent sexual assaults against children

The Zhongze Woman-legal Aid, the Maple Women's Psychological Counseling Center, Home of Hearts Foundation under China Women's Development Foundation and China Weekly held a forum in Beijing recently to discuss how to prevent more children from sexual assault.

At least 12 cases of sexual assault on children were reported following a scandal that caused wide public anger in early May. A primary school headmaster in Wanning, Hainan province, is accused of assaulting six girls from his school after taking them to a hotel.

A slew of recent cases have aroused public concerns over the issue of preventing children from sexual assault.

More than 80 representatives from women's federations at different levels, the UN Women, schools, NGOs and media, as well as lawyers and activists attended the forum.

The participants sought to establish a social aid network by bringing together social resources.

The network will allow experts and those engaged in practical work to act quicker and push forward relevant works including legislation, legal and psychological assistance for victims and their families, education in schools and social initiatives.

Positive cases in child sexual assault prevention were also shared during the forum.

An open letter jointly signed by the attendees, which urged for education on personal safety and prevention of sexual assaults in schools, was submitted to the Ministry of Education at the end of the forum.