13-year-old athlete subjected to repeated sexual abuse by teammates at training center

A girl hiding her face. illustration photo by Pexels

The indictment identifies Nguyen Van Cong, 16, and Duc, 14, along with the victim, as athletes on the Hanoi Badminton Team. They were stationed together for training and accommodation at the Hanoi Sports Training Center, situated in the capital’s Nam Tu Liem district.

Exposed regularly to pornographic websites and amidst their physiological development, Cong and Duc conspired to exploit the victim sexually. From May 2022 through May 19, 2024, they continuously threatened the victim, compelled her to watch pornographic films, and forced her participation in sexual acts, prohibiting any disclosure of these activities.

The authorities have established that the victim was victimized 11 times, with nine occurrences at the training center and two at competitions in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

The victim demonstrated clear signs of mental anguish and eventually shared her ordeal with her family. On May 22, her family lodged a complaint with the Nam Tu Liem Police. Cong surrendered to the police the day after the complaint was filed.

The Procuracy has levied 10 counts of rape against Cong, with three offenses committed independently and seven in collaboration with Duc. Five of these incidents took place before Cong turned 14, and the remainder occurred afterward but before his 16th birthday. He faces charges under the aggravating circumstance of recurrent criminal activity.

Regarding Duc, although he participated in the acts eight times, his age at the time renders him legally unaccountable.

In Sep. 2024, the Hanoi Police recommended that the Nam Tu Liem District People’s Court initiate a case file for Duc’s application of educational measures at a juvenile detention center.

*The name of the juvenile suspect has been changed.