Annoucement of Network for the Prevention and Response of Gender Violence  (GBVNet)

Today, March 12, 2017 in Hanoi, the Network for the Prevention and Response of Gender Violence  (GBVNet) in Vietnam includes 15 active social organizations across Vietnam. This annoucement is to express the urgency of the sexual abuse of girls, calling for more serious action to address this problem.

In recent years, the sexual abuse of children has become increasingly serious. According to a report by the Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security, the number of child sexual abuse cases detected between 2010 and 2013 has nearly doubled from 867 to 1544 in 2014. on average, about 1,000 children are sexually abused, or at least 8 hours have passed, at least one child has been sexually abused. Victims are even killed for clues or threatened to deny reporting of crime.

The Vietnamese Constitution affirms the inviolability of the body and the right to protection of the health, honor and dignity of the citizen. Viet Nam is one of the first countries to sign the 1990 Convention on the Rights of the Child. Viet Nam is also a country with a separate law on children and many laws and policies on child protection. Viet Nam also has a comprehensive system of child care and protection from central to local levels. However, many cases of child sexual abuse, even with clear evidence, even criminal signs, are treated in a 'reconciliation' manner. The procedural gap is tight and insensitive causing more injury and disability to victims and their families. Many staff in agencies and organizations responsible for addressing sexual violence against women and children, rather than carrying out their responsibilities, blame women and children for ignorance. behave properly. Rather than strictly accepting responsibility and strengthening, solutions to the protection and handling of violence and sexual abuse reassert responsibility for women and children to protect themselves. These are the institutional barriers that make sexual violence not only decrease but also increase with the increasing complexity of the past.

Typically, 9 children in Vung Tau were abused by an elderly man. More than a year has elapsed despite of the evidence, the case has not been prosecuted. The perpetrator is outlawed, even threatening the victim's family. Shortly after Tet, a 13-year-old girl from Ca Mau province committed suicide after being repeatedly abused by neighbors but the perpetrator was not handled by the authorities despite of family reports. Most recently, the 8-year-old boy in Hoang Mai district (Hanoi) was abused several times by a 34-year-old man. Over the course of two months, the family has denounced the law enforcement agency, but the culprit remains untouched. Or the 7-year-old son in Thu Duc, who was badly hurt at school, caused serious injury. But the bad guys are not exposed, but are hidden.

Network for the Prevention and Response of Gender Violence (GBVNet) in Vietnam urgently calls for:

1. The appropriate authorities promptly and promptly address the alleged sexual assaults to restore honor, stabilize the lives and morale of the victims and their families. Expectations of public opinion.

2. The National Assembly and judicial bodies shall review the relevant laws and policies to strengthen the legal capacity to protect the lives, dignity and rights of citizens, especially children. .

3. The National Assembly and mass organizations and the whole of society shall intensify the supervision of law enforcement to ensure that all child sexual abuse cases are brought to light and resolved thoroughly.

4. Social organizations, networks, action groups for women and children, violence prevention and social development should work together to protect our children and build a Safe living environment for future generations.

5. Prominent individuals in the community, social activists, and artists, by their influence, voice our support for sexual violence against women and children.

6. Journalists should join us in breaking the case, bringing the perpetrator to justice, encouraging community support for victims and their families and at the same time protecting them. in front of the social implications.

7. Everyone in society, join hands with GBVNet, detect and report child sexual abuse and work with us to find effective solutions to this problem.

Members of GBVNet