Child abuse in Vietnam ‘on the rise’

CHILD abuse in Vietnam is on the rise and becoming more widespread according to a government report released last week.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs claimed that 3,422 cases recorded between 2008 and 2010 were significantly higher than in previous estimates, although previous figures were not available.

“Child abuse has been on the increase and is taking place in public places, the home, schools and children’s centers across the country,” the report said.

Victims have reportedly suffered serious sexual and physical abuses, emotional violence, or are being trafficked, kidnapped and forced to commit crimes, it continued.

The latest high-profile case was that of nine-year-old Nguyen Thuc Phi from Quang Ngai province who was badly beaten by her parents.

Phi had been accused of stealing some money from her parents, which she denied.

Not believing her, Phi’s parents slapped her face, smashed her head against a wall, used pieces of wire to whip her, and then chained her naked to a chicken coop.

Her ordeal ended when neighbors called security officials who rescued Phi and arrested her parents.

Report from ucanews.com