Procuratorates nationwide approved the arrest of 39,000 suspects and initiated lawsuits against 58,000 people involved in crimes against minors last year, and the procuratorial organs showed no tolerance, according to the Supreme People's Procuratorate.
Na Yanfang, head of the ninth procuratorial office of the SPP, said in 2023 the SPP will continue to strengthen supervision over the filing and investigation of cases against minors.
It will strengthen criminal trial supervision of cases against minors and carry out the targeted quality assessment of cases against minors and strengthen supervision over criminal proceedings, she said.
To avoid secondary harm to minors caused by repeated interrogation and evidence collection, procuratorial organs across the country, together with public security organs and women's federations, have built 2,053 one-stop facilities, an increase of more than 450 over 2021.
In order to help juvenile victims get out of their predicament as soon as possible, procuratorial organs have provided more assistance. In 2022, they helped more than 17,000 juvenile victims and distributed over 22.25 million yuan ($3.23 million) in relief funds, both significantly increased compared to 2021.
"This year, we will work with other departments to formulate a working standard for a 'one-stop' inquiry and assistance mechanism and strengthen comprehensive assistance for juvenile victims, including financial assistance and resettlement assistance. The procuratorate will also explore ways to support the prosecution of mental damage compensation in minor civil tort cases," she said.
Procuratorates have also adhered to the principle of rescuing minors involved in crime to the greatest extent, Na said.
In 2022, procuratorial organs approved the arrest of 15,000 juvenile suspects and refused to arrest 34,000, prosecuted 28,000 juvenile suspects, refused to prosecute 41,000, and conditionally refused to prosecute 26,000.
"In 2023, we will work with departments to promote the establishment of a graded intervention system for juveniles who have committed wrongful crimes. Also, procuratorial organs will establish a mechanism to link up with specialized schools to send minors who meet the requirements in the prosecution procedure," she said.
