Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Home Affairs has outlined a new policy on the prevention and handling of child abuse cases which includes new hotlines for victims and their families.

The hotlines are 111, 113, 1900.54.55.59 or 1800.90.59. Victims and families can also directly contact the People’s Committee of districts and wards, as well as the police.

Within two hours after receiving the information, the person in charge must check the authenticity of the information and report it to the People’s Committee.

The People’s Committee will then send the child to the hospital for emergency medical examinations and treatment.

The hospital will send the initial diagnostics to the People’s Committee two hours after receiving the child.

After that, the chairman of the People’s Committee will petition for prosecution, with documents and evidence sent to the police.

In a National Assembly question and answer session on June 5, Public Security Minister To Lam recommended measures to increase awareness of child protection among the public.

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam called on society to make the issue a top priority.

Child abuse is defined as an act that has physical and psychological damage in the form of violence, maltreatment, or sexual assault.

VNA/VNP