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Beyond Higher Education: University Establishments and Childhood Maltreatment

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Listed:
  • Li, Yanjun
  • Liu, Xinyan
  • Tanaka, Ryuichi

Abstract

Violence against children, especially trafficking, is a global concern. This paper proposes that nearby educational institutions can help reduce such violence. Using a quasi-experiment in China from 1999, where university campuses were exogenously established, the study shows that these institutions led to fewer trafficked children. The mechanism involves economic development, improved public safety, and changes in family behavior, ultimately reducing child trafficking. The findings highlight that the establishment of social facilities, such as universities, can unintentionally enhance children's safety and well-being by improving the surrounding community's economic and social conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Yanjun & Liu, Xinyan & Tanaka, Ryuichi, 2025. "Beyond Higher Education: University Establishments and Childhood Maltreatment," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1590, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Childhood Maltreatment; Child trafficking; Illegal behaviors; University expansion policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H54 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Infrastructures
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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