Institutions urged to aid in protection of minors

Institutions that have close contact with juveniles－including education, training, nursing, medical care and social welfare－must report suspected cases in which minors' rights and interests are infringed upon.

Any evidence of pregnancy, abortion, sexual assault, domestic violence, bullying, abandonment or mistreatment must be reported to police within 24 hours, according to a code signed by 10 government departments in Shanghai's Minhang district on Monday.

The code for compulsory reporting is the first of its kind in the country and includes the court, prosecuting agency, police, education and health departments. The code specifies that institutions failing to report such evidence will be penalized. They could have their licenses revoked and may be held liable if their behavior constitutes a crime.

Since 2018, the district prosecuting agency has reviewed 176 cases in which victims were minors, but only five cases were reported to police by schools and medical institutions.

"Cases where minors are victims are usually hidden, and vulnerable children in such situations may suffer repeatedly from unfavorable conditions when they cannot receive assistance," said Chen Minya, vice-president of Shanghai's Minhang District People's Procuratorate.

"It prompted us to urge institutions, including schools, kindergartens, after-class training centers, school bus service providers, hospitals and hotels to join hands to spot any evidence of minors in unfavorable situations and prevent secondary harm," he said.

According to the system, medical institutions should report cases in which minors may have been sexually assaulted.

Doctors should also report cases in which juveniles suffered multiple physical injuries, severe malnutrition and abnormal mental states, as well as those who have attempted suicide or self-mutilation.

When treating juveniles who have sustained physical and mental injuries, doctors should ask the children where those injuries came from and when they occurred, and they should hand over medical records to police. Schools and nursing care providers could provide information about the child's school performance and relationship with schoolmates and family to the police, according to the code.

"Hotel managers should note any juvenile who is drunk or weeping when entering or leaving the venue. They should save information about the identity of the adult who checks in with the minor as well as relevant surveillance tapes," said Cheng Hui, director of juvenile cases at the district procuratorate, adding that privacy must be protected.

The procuratorate said that late last year it received a case in which a 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by her legal guardian. The girl asked for help from the school psychology teacher, who contacted police immediately, and the suspect was captured. The case is currently being reviewed by the court.

"Just as in this case, where psychological counseling and temporary placement were provided, an assistance package will be provided to the minors involved to best help them overcome difficulty and prevent additional harm," Cheng said.