Child abuse video flags gaps in China's welfare system

Teachers, social workers 'not trained' to spot warning signs

An online video clip showing the eight-year-old girl being beaten repeatedly by her mother in Shenzhen last September. The parents have since been arrested and are facing criminal penalties.
An online video clip showing the eight-year-old girl being beaten repeatedly by her mother in Shenzhen last September. The parents have since been arrested and are facing criminal penalties. PHOTO: SCREEN GRAB FROM YOUTUBE/ THE PAPER
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It was both the savagery of the beatings and the impassive reaction of the little girl as she took the blows that shocked Chinese netizens.

The video clips in the three-minute compilation, filmed by a home security camera in the city of Shenzhen last September and October, went viral before Christmas.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 03, 2019, with the headline Child abuse video flags gaps in China's welfare system. Subscribe