Legal aid and protection network for children established

A lawyer talks to children in Beijing

A new network providing legal aid to vulnerable children and young people in China has been successfully launched by Plan. In the first six months of operation, children in 77 cases have received support.

China has the second largest population of children in the world, over 369 million, but legal aid for children is limited. Few lawyers work full time on child protection, and legal representation is out of the reach of many of those who need it.

In May 2006 Plan China launched the Child Legal Support and Protection Network to mobilise lawyers in Tianjin Municipality and Shaanxi, Hunan, Anhui and Fujian Provinces. The network provides pro-bono legal support and follow-up protection for children in cooperation with the Child Protection Committee of the Provincial BAR Association, and the Beijing Children's Legal Aid and Research Centre.

The lawyers work closely with local government agencies in education, civil affairs, labour inspection, and juvenile justice to provide quality legal support to cases involving street children, physical punishment, juvenile crime, sexual abuse, and child labour.

In the first six months of operation, the network has provided legal support for children in 77 cases.

One child received legal assistance after his arm was amputated due to a machine accident. He says, "From then I had hope for the trial. When the trial turned for the better, my hopes improved too... I wish that all people would help those who are going through difficult times."

After experimentation and evaluation, the project will spread to more than 20 provinces. The experience of the project will be shared with other organisations and government officials to promote the development of child protection in China.