Women's federation condemns suspects in underage prostitution case

The All-China Women's Federation has condemned six people who allegedly solicited and forced an underage girl into prostitution in Qidong county, Hunan province, calling it an act of "moral free-fall".

In a media release issued on Wednesday, the federation asked the judicial authorities to bring the sexual predators to justice as soon as possible.

Similar cases in recent years had sounded the alarm that more action needed to be taken quickly to protect minors from criminal acts — a crucial part of social governance that concerned the nation's future, the federation said.

Families, schools and government should form an alliance to detect and deter crimes against minors, and ensure they grow up in a "safe, healthy and respectful" environment, it said.

Police in Qidong county announced late Tuesday that they had arrested six suspects who allegedly forced a girl into prostitution in a local karaoke bar.

They said the girl's grandfather told police she was missing on Oct 3, four days after she ran away from home.

Police found the girl in a hotel on Oct 6 and discovered she had been working at a karaoke bar owned by two suspects. Police said she had offered sex services to the four other suspects.