The first survey to shed light on the level of
violence against and among children in China suggests it is
widespread, growing and has a lasting negative impact on their
lives. The findings were revealed at the National Consultation on
Violence Against Children in Beijing Monday.
"There is a clear association between history of
childhood maltreatment and mental health," said Chen Jingqi, the
associate professor at Peking
University who headed the research.
"Young people with multiple abuse experiences had
significantly lower academic scores and higher levels of depression
and suicidal intention than other students," said Chen. "Sometimes,
school or home can become a dangerous place for children and
teenagers."
The study was sponsored by the All-China Women's
Federation, UNICEF and Peking University and is part of a
global initiative spearheaded by UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan.
Involving more than 3,500 college students over two
months in the provinces of Guangdong,
Zhejiang,
Hubei,
Shanxi,
Heilongjiang
and the municipality of Beijing, the survey found 54.6 percent of
boys and 32.6 percent of girls had been bullied.
It also found 9.7 percent of boys and 13.5 percent
of girls had been sexually abused, and 1.7 percent of boys and 2.1
percent of girls had been raped.
"There is an urgent need to promote research and
programs to raise community awareness and to prevent child
violence," Anupama Singh, East Asia-Pacific regional director of
UNICEF told delegates. "Violence is one of the most serious
problems affecting children."
Several recent cases have highlighted the problem
of bullying. Early last month, a student filmed a pupil being
beaten by her peers in Shenzhen, Guangdong and the harrowing scenes
were released online by a news website.
"This incident triggered a hot online discussion
about school violence, which is on the rise," said Chen.
(China Daily May 17, 2005)