Old people in Harbin have been issued cards to encourage members of the public to help them in case of a fall or medical emergency.
Stories of old people scamming good Samaritans who try to help them are all too common in China, and as a result, even the best intentioned people can be very hesitant when it comes to assisting the elderly. Just last year there was a tragic case of a man who killed himself after being wrongly accused of knocking down an old man he had tried to help; the police acquitted him two days after his suicide.
The cards have the words ‘Please Help Me Up’ written on the front, alongside a photo, personal details, contact details of relatives and a statement from the old person. The idea is that people will feel more relaxed from a legal standpoint, as they will be absolved of responsibility for the accident, and therefore more encouraged to assist old people should they require it.
In 2013 a China Youth Daily Survey was published showing that 80 percent of the 130,000 people surveyed would hesitate to help an old person for fear of legal repercussions.
Hopefully the new measure will be a small step towards building trust, and a society where good deeds really do go unpunished.
Source: Xinhua.net
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Keywords: Old People in Harbin Carry ‘Help me’ Cards
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The whole problem is that people don't understand responsibility. People get accused of causing accidents, and they pay up too easily. Judges 'reason' that a person is guilty because "If you weren't responsible, then why did you help?" Even the rich here behave like children in a playground. With nobody demonstrating moral, ethical behaviour, is it any wonder that everybody must feel worried that they might get sued for HELPING? In a country with mob rule, you must do your best to stay out of focus.
Jun 17, 2014 10:44 Report Abuse
The card does no say they won't sue, so this changes nothing.
Jun 14, 2014 08:29 Report Abuse
old what a joke,Mick Jagger is 70 years old he runs around on stage for 2 and a half hours. people get to 40 here in China and the act and feel old
Jun 14, 2014 07:21 Report Abuse
Let's see you when you're 70... The actual problem is not in the society, but the government. "The government in China is one of the richest, but citicens are poor." This is what some people, I agree with, say. The government in China just cares about economic growth and doesn't really cares about elderly people. Pensions here are to low for a living, so the 60,70,80... years old pensioneers have to look for money somewhere else. By the way, I don't really see 40, 50 year old people acting old...
Jun 16, 2014 17:53 Report Abuse
I can’t help but think of the old medalert lanyards.“Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”
Jun 13, 2014 21:04 Report Abuse
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