Chinese woman condemned for kicking model daughter, 3, as fashion brands intervene
- 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
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.
