China wants harsh punishment for sex crimes

Beijing: A senior judge of China`s Supreme People`s Court has called for "severe" punishment for teachers and others who sexually assault minors.

The court`s vice president, Huang Ermei, made the appeal at a seminar and added that the victims should also be protected.

Heavy penalties should be imposed on those who seriously hurt the physical and mental health of minors, she said.

These include forced prostitution of underage girls, Huang said.

"Severe sentences should be handed down to sexual offences committed by teachers," she said.

China has seen multiple reports of teachers molesting or raping students recently.

IANS