Hangzhou mum slammed as video shows her kicking child model
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• Onlooker’s video of mother’s abusive behaviour while taking photos of child model Niuniu prompts backlash from fashion brands
• Apology is followed by further videos showing similar behaviour
The woman was filmed kicking her daughter in a clip that left her facing accusations of child abuse and exploitation. Photo: Sina.com.cn
A woman who was caught on film kicking her daughter for not cooperating in having her photo taken has apologised after facing accusations of child abuse and condemnation from fashion brands.
In a video filmed by an onlooker, posted on Monday on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter, a young girl is seen holding a bag while a woman and a man take photos of her with their phones. When she puts the bag down on the ground, the woman kicks her bottom and loudly orders her to pick it up.
Clothing vendors on Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao quickly identified the girl as three-year-old Niuniu, a popular child fashion model who works regularly in Hangzhou, the capital of the eastern Zhejiang province, where Taobao and many online sellers are based. The clip had been viewed over 16 million times by Thursday afternoon.
More than 100 brands have signed an open letter condemning abuse of child models and calling for better protection for them, referring to Niuniu being mistreated by her mother. Taobao has responded positively to the letter, The Beijing News reported.
“After anger, we need actions,” Taobao said on Wednesday.
“We support the Taobao vendors and brands who are full of love,” it said, adding that the companies’ demands offered “prompt protection of the children”.
The South China Morning Post is owned by Alibaba, the parent company of Taobao.
Niuniu’s 33-year-old mother – whose name is not known but whose Weibo account has been verified – issued an apology on Wednesday but said she was a loving parent who did not mean to harm her daughter.
Niuniu’s mother defends herself in a post on Wednesday. Photo: Sina.com.cn
“The actions shown in the video occurred while educating and communicating with her. They were never intended to hurt her,” she said.
“If this created any confusion and misunderstanding, I am deeply sorry. I reiterate, my daughter is my most cherished, she is well protected and loved.”
In an interview with The Beijing News that was released on Wednesday, Niuniu was asked whether she enjoyed posing for photos and wearing pretty clothes.
“I don’t like it,” said the girl, clad in pink. “She’s joking,” her mother interrupted her to say.
On Thursday, more videos showing Niuniu’s mother abusing the young girl were posted by Weibo users. One showed her scolding a crying Niuniu during a photo shoot and hitting her with a coat hanger.
In another clip, the girl was asked several times to wave hello but was distracted. A woman, off screen and presumed to be Niuniu’s mother, made a slapping motion. Niuniu flinched and obeyed the instructions.
Niuniu’s mother has not responded to the latest videos.
Many Weibo users criticised not only the treatment of Niuniu but also the fact that she is working at such a young age.
“This is terrifying,” one person wrote. “I’m scared if one day the child can’t earn money or gets sick, this mother would abandon her.”
Source: South China Morning Post
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3005750/chinese-woman-condemned-kicking-model-daughter-3-fashion-brands
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