Policy Digest: July 10

14 accused of not reporting violations against juveniles

The Supreme People's Procuratorate on Friday announced that since 2020, 14 people in China have been held criminally responsible for failing to fulfill their obligation to report violations against minors that led to serious consequences.

In May 2020, China issued a circular to establish a mandatory reporting system that requires relevant officials and personnel who work closely with children to immediately contact the police whenever they discover or suspect that a minor has been or could be harmed.

Such personnel mainly include those working in community organizations, schools and kindergartens, after-school classes, hospitals and other medical institutions, social work facilities and hotels.

From May 2020 to December 2023, procuratorial agencies nationwide prosecuted 9,282 cases following investigations based on relevant reports. In 2023, the number of sexual abuse cases against minors occurring in hotels declined 30.9 percent year-on-year.

On Friday, the SPP published five typical cases in which the proper use of the reporting system resulted in punishment. In those cases, those committing crimes against minors have been brought to justice thanks to reports from people including a hotel operator, a teacher and a doctor after they discovered minors being harmed during their work.