Study shows worrying trend of child abuse in China
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A landmark survey on violence against children in China shows abuse is more widespread than previously believed and has a lasting effect on mental health.
China has implemented an urban one-child policy for the past quarter of a century, leading to a popular perception that an only child is more likely to be indulged than abused.
But the survey of more than 3,500 adolescents undertaken by the All-China Women’s Federation, Peking University and UNICEF showed more than 50 percent of males taking part and one-third of females had been hit or kicked as children.
“Child maltreatment is an existing problem in China… One or two children in average school classes may be victims of serious child abuse,” the report said.
It also found a clear association between child abuse and mental health, and a higher likelihood of alcohol use and violent behaviour among those who were maltreated as children.
“Violence and abuse against children is much more prevalent across the world than we expect,” said Anupama Rao Singh, UNICEF’s Asia-Pacific director, when asked if the rates of abuse in China were surprising.
She said China was typical of many other parts of the world, where physical punishment was accepted as a mode of discipline.
“We need to recognise that much of the violence reported in the study relates to disciplinary measures,” she said.
Physical punishment in schools was also an issue, the survey found, as was bullying.
Singh said China was recruiting public figures to raise public awareness of child abuse and was looking at ways to work both directly with parents and provide a safer environment in schools.
Last month, a student was caught on camera being beaten by her peers at a school in the southern city of Shenzhen, the China Daily reported, an incident that triggered concern about rising school violence.
“Protection of the mental health of young Chinese people is a major priority for this new century,” the study said.
“This research strongly suggests that national programmes to raise community awareness and prevent child maltreatment are necessary and urgent.”
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