The provincial government has issued many documents directing the organization and implementation of this work.

Painful numbers related to child abuse have just been compiled by the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Quang Nam province. Accordingly, in the first 6 months of 2023, Quang Nam had 15 children subjected to abuse and violence.

Previously, in 2022, the whole province discovered 36 cases of abuse of people under 16 years old with the number of abused children being 39 cases, an increase of 8 cases compared to 2021.

The report from the Steering Committee for the Implementation of the Action Program for Children in 2022 clearly states that the situation of abuse, especially sexual abuse of children, is still complicated and the number of injured children is still high.

"The number of child molestation cases is increasing, most of the abusers are people known to the victims, the subjects take advantage of young children who do not have a sense of defense or take advantage of the negligence of their parents, The children were alone at home... to commit sexual abuse.

The causes and conditions for this type of crime are very diverse, but are basically due to the moral depravity of a part of criminals, the lack of concern of parents for their children, and the lack of concern of parents for their children. I am not equipped with life skills and self-protection skills." Along with that, the tricks to lure children through social networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

In 2022, Quang Nam Provincial Police successfully investigated and rescued a little girl who was tricked into working as a karaoke bar waitress in Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc province.

Taking advantage of children's gullibility, bad actors have used the Internet to seduce and entice children under 16 years old to serve at increasingly popular karaoke and massage bars.

A representative of the Provincial Police said that this is a highly hidden crime that exists in many forms of risk and is likely to occur in areas such as rural, mountainous, and ethnic minority areas. number.

Not to mention, according to representatives of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, children abuse technology toys, are addicted to games and electronics, children access Internet sites with harmful content or unsafe games. healthy are at increased risk. Children's safety in cyberspace comes into question as more and more sophisticated scams target children using the Internet.

Besides, the dangers lurking for children in cyberspace are also increasing. According to statistics from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEP), 92% of Vietnamese children use devices connected to the Internet, of which 89% go online every day.

However, children do not have enough knowledge and skills to recognize dangers and how to handle them to protect themselves. Only about 1/3 of children are taught and trained about online safety.

In a 2022 UNICEF survey of 994 Vietnamese children aged 12 to 17, up to 2% of children reported being asked to talk about sexual topics when they did not want to. want; 1% were asked to share nude clips and photos; 5% had to view unwanted sensitive images; 8% received rude comments.

Relevant agencies join hands to protect children

Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Quang Nam province Truong Thi Loc said that the work of protecting and caring for children in Quang Nam in recent times has always had the companionship of many levels and branches. The province has issued many documents directing the organization and implementation of this work.

Accordingly, Quang Nam province has established a Steering Committee and a Team to assist the Steering Committee in implementing the Action Program for Children in Quang Nam province for the period 2021 - 2030. Arranging a team of population and family collaborators. Families, children and health workers in villages and hamlets in the province in the spirit of Resolution 12 of the Provincial People's Council and Decision 694 of the Provincial People's Committee... Networks and systems of child protection and care have been formed to each village and city block and put into operation, contributing to good implementation of child protection work.

However, facing the shortcomings in the work of caring for and protecting children with many risks threatening children's living environment, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Anh Tuan said that the authorities of districts and cities, The town and relevant departments continue to pay close attention to and raise awareness of the full meaning and responsibility of each organization and the whole community in taking care of children.

Mr. Tuan said that it is necessary to create "red addresses" for children in the context of modest budget and resource mobilization in the province. This is to promptly grasp information and receive the most especially difficult children's cases, difficulties in any field or situation in order to have appropriate and timely access and support.

Thuy Vi