Amendment aims to better protect children

China's top legislature discussed a proposal to amend the charge of violence against children in the Criminal Law on Monday after a number of cases came to light that teachers and nursing workers had used inappropriate force.

Under the current law, the charge of child abuse can be brought to court only if the offense happens within the family, which means some offenders avoid jail "even when their crimes are serious," said Ding Jinkun, a criminal lawyer in Shanghai.

The draft amendment stipulates that people responsible for minors, the elderly, the disabled or patients in a hospital or clinic will be punished if they harm those under their care.