GENDER TALK #3: “Steel Shield” for Children Sexually Abused
On April 11, 2019, Gender Talk #3-The Academic Activity on Gender and Gender Equality was held at Hoa Sen University (HSU). Gender Talk #3 attracted over 250 participants, composed of college students, reporters from television and newspapers, educators, social workers, psychologists, specialists, and individuals working for Child Protection Services.
Opening Gender Talk #3, Tran Thi Ngoc Nu – a lawyer for the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Association for
Protection of Child's Rights, named “Steel Shield” for child sexual
abuse cases. She began her presentation by citing a recent child sexual abuse case
that caused angry waves throughout the country. “A seven-year-old girl entered
an elevator alone at Galaxy Apartment Building in District 4, HCMC and a
strange man (later found out named Nguyen Huu
Linh, a retired deputy head of the Danang City People's Procuracy) suddenly and forcefully kissed and hugged her in
the elevator. The little girl was panicked, resisted, and tried to run away
from him.” Ms. Nu said that the HCMC Association for
Protection of Child's Rights received 74 petitions from across the
country to demand that Linh be prosecuted. The
Association closely monitors and speaks on behalf of the people regarding this
case. Ms. Nu affirmed that we can all understand the girl was too scared and
tried to get out and run away from the abuser. We find this behavior sufficient
to prosecute as child sexual abuse and the offender may
be jailed for a maximum of seven years.
In addition, Ms. Ngoc Nu shared that she directly
received and intervened in many cases. For example, the story of a 15-year-old
girl with a dream of becoming a police officer was sexually assaulted and
became pregnant. The teenager has been supported by the Ho Chi Minh City
Association. The teenager gave birth to a child and then went back to her
hometown to continue her studies. Another story is a biological father raped
his 9-year-old and 7-year-old children. This man did not even acknowledge the
pregnancy and said he did not love "them" at all. Ms. Ngoc Nu
emphasized that all children are at risk of being sexually abused, whether boys
or girls, but the rate of girls is often higher than that of boy, and that the
consequences of emotional pain are severe and persistent for the rest of their
lives.
Ms. Ngoc Nu also said that to convict the abusers,
evidence is needed, but it is often not easy to collect evidence and investigators
encounter many difficulties and obstacles when seeking evidence. In fact, the
offenders are often stubborn and deny their guilt. They erase evidence and
traces very quickly. Meanwhile, victims and their families are always confused,
distressed, shocked, afraid, and remain silent to avoid deeper trauma. When
children are abused, parents do not immediately report to the authorities. They
often wait for a few days before reporting. At this time, evidence can be gone
or faded or deleted or hidden. Therefore, it may be difficult to prosecute or bring
the perpetrators to light.
Ms. Nu stressed that child sexual abuse
has been on the increase in Vietnam in recent years according to the Ministry of
Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. Each year we must deal with 1,200
suffering sexual abuse cases, but the real number may be much higher than that estimate.
Investigation and settlement of a child abuse case in Vietnam is very
complicated because of that culturally sensitive issue that the families of
both victims and offenders do not want such incidents to be publicly revealed.
A victim’s family fears the incident will harm the future of their child, while
an offender’s family fears that they will be scorned by the public. This creates a loophole in the law and
criminals often take advantage of this to deny guilt. Therefore, effectively
protecting children from sexual abuse is extremely complicated.
Ms. Nu emphasized to the audience that to reduce the
trauma for victims and families, we should remember the following:
•
Understand children's rights. Children
have rights such as: the right to survival; the right to be protected; right to
development; and the right to participation. These are basic rights; therefore,
children have the right to be protected from sexual abuse. This is the
responsibility of each individual, family, school, and society as a whole.
•
Remember that the golden principles of
child sexual abuse prevention include three steps: prevention, intervention,
and support. Prevention is better than cure. Every child needs to
understand that “your body is yours. No one is allowed to infringe, including
strangers, relatives and acquaintances." When children are taught to
understand their rights, they become self-aware of protecting themselves from
others who intend to hurt or harm them.
In the face of evil happening every day and every hour,
and with child sex abuse cases are becoming more and more complicated, Ms. Nu said
the HCMC Children's Protection Association has proposed to the Prime Minister
to consider chemical castration as punishment for sexual abuse. The country
should apply this measure to combat the growing numbers of child sexual abuse
cases.
Ms. Ngoc Nu reminded that when receiving cases of
sexual abuse, all stakeholders, especially families, social workers, and police
officers, and lawyers need to grasp the principle of "Listening to
children with your heart and protect children with your action” anytime and
anywhere.
Finally, besides Ms. Ngoc Nu’s talk, Dr. Le Minh Thuan
also added four brief points to help chidren:
- . Family
involvement to solve problems,
- . We
need to change the culture of our behavior on sexual abuse,
- . Families,
schools should emphasize the importance of sex education, and
- . Intervention
at all levels is required, especially with active participation of social
workers.
FEEDBACK
FROM THE AUDIENCE ABOUT GENDER TALK #3
#1: Nguyen Thuan Anh shared
to Gender Talk to liberate herself through obtaining useful knowledge. I am a
mother of two young children and am also studying Gender and Development Course
with Prof. Ngoc, so Gender Talk #3 is very meaningful to me. Through the
exchange between speaker and audience, I understand children's rights and the three
key principles preventing child sexual abuse. We must prevent it. If it happens,
it is very hurtful and becomes difficult to solve. As a future therapist, I
think emotional support for the child and family should be taken seriously with
love and understanding.
#2: Luong Minh Kim Phung
said, “Every time I attend Gender Talk, I change my perception quite deeply and
have a more multi-dimensional view.” Thank you!
#3: Le Nhat Thao shared,
“I missed Gender Talk #1 and #2. Fortunately, I can attend Gender Talk #3
because I am concerned with “Child sexual abuse”. This topic is important to me
and my family as well because we have many children and grandchildren in the
family. I learned a lot today and I really like spirit of open discussion with
everyone. Everyone is excited and engaged. Thank you.
#4: Huynh Thi My Trang
addressed, “What a great talk show! I am impressed with the professional
organization and crowded audience. Today I take away 3 golden rules to protect
children, children’s rights. Many stories made my heart broken. It sucks and it
hurts to hear. After attending Gender Talk #3, I suddenly looked back at the
STEM field I am working in. It is not equal, but I did not realize it before.
Now I feel motivated to do something for women in the field of STEM or
engineering. I think it is unjust when many people think STEM field is not for girls”.
I hope to soon fulfill this wish for the community in Ho Chi Minh City. I look
forward to receiving invitations to Gender Talk #4.
#5: Le Nguyen Khanh Thu
said “I am so sad to hear stories that Ms. Nu shared with us today. I think "Silence
is a crime" in this case. Parents and schools need to protect their
children, boldly denounce, and educate children about their rights and the
three golden principles. “Children's bodies are not allowed to be infringed and
strangers must stand far away from children. When meeting strangers who are
abusive, children should shout for help from adults." Mr. Le Minh Thuan
has helped me have a clearer and deeper view in sexual abuse intervention. The
consequences are persistent pain and difficulty for normal development. Children
who are sexually abused may develop suicidal thoughts or behaviors. I think
parents, schools and all of us have to teach and share sex education for children
so they can understand and know how to protect themselves.
#6: Nguyen Thi Thuy Tien expressed
“I like Gender Talk #3 because I learned about child sexual abuse. I
understand about children’s rights, three golden rules, and how to protect
children. I also learned from Gender Talk that in society there have been people
silently doing what is right and just for children no matter how hard issues
are. Working with children requires big heart, love and enthusiasm. I would like to
thank Gender Talk organizers for your great work.
#7: Nguyen Dinh Thien Hao:
Through Gender Talk, I accumulated valuable knowledge such as: children's
rights, how to approach children who are sexually abused. I also understand
well about the golden rules: Prevention, intervention, support. Every child
needs to understand that no one is allowed to touch their body without
permission. We have to teach children about their rights, so they become aware
of protecting themselves from others. The protection children is responsibility
of everyone, every family and the whole society. I am grateful for the
organizers for this opportunity.
By
Doan Thi Ngoc- HSU Lecturer and The Founder of Gender Talk.
