Child molestation scandals prompt efforts to protect children

Chinese parents are trying to find ways to protect their children from child molesters, and are also urging harsher penalties for such criminals, following the recent exposure of nine child molestation cases.

"I often teach my child preventive measures, tell her not to wear skimpy clothes and tell her to be more aware of self-protection. But the reality indicates that these moves are far from enough," said a mother surnamed Liu in Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province.

Liu's 11-year-old daughter is now in her fifth year of primary school. The mother said she plans to ask her daughter to learn self-protection skills during the coming summer vacation.

Over the last 20 days, nine sexual molestation cases have been reported in the media. The majority of the suspects are teachers or school principals. Among them, a primary school teacher in central China's Henan Province and a teacher in south China's Guangdong Province, respectively, have been detained for sexually abusing female students.

In another case, an unemployed man and a 12-year-old dropout were detained last week in north China's Hebei Province for molesting or raping six girls in a school dormitory.

Several mothers who requested anonymity said they have purchased pants for their children to wear under their skirts, as well as thick vests.

"The weather is hot, but children should wear protective clothes to reduce the risk (of being sexually abused) as much as they can," said Liu.

"Girls should be careful in dealing with all males except their father," said a man surnamed He whose 12-year-old daughter attends a primary school in Nanchang.