'More Thought Needed On Child Abuse Reporting Law'

Rights advocacy groups and educators urged the government on Sunday to make children's feelings and perspectives a key priority as it finalises details of legislation that will require professionals who work with children to report suspected abuse cases.

Speaking at a DAB meeting on the law, the Undersecretary for Labour and Welfare, Ho Kai-ming, said authorities will submit the bill to the Legislative Council before the end of next month, adding that the government's position is to encourage reports, thus enable social workers and authorities to intervene as early as possible.

Educators and social rights groups at the meeting welcomed the legislation but cited concerns from front line staff on the proposed three-tier reporting system, which requires professionals to make a report when serious harm has been inflicted on a child or when one is at imminent risk of suffering serious injury.

But in less serious incidents which involve a child being at risk of physical or psychological harm, professionals are simply encouraged to report or refer the case.

“In the educators’ opinion, it is difficult to distinguish the divisions within the three levels, and when is considered appropriate to report,” Nancy Lam, the vice president of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers said.

“If a teacher found out about the injury in the classroom, it is unclear whether the teacher should report it immediately or should the teaching staff reach a consensus with the principal before reporting it. Currently, there is no clear indication of who should make the report, but failing to report it could result in legal consequences."

"Everyone is very nervous about this,” Lam added.

Other concern groups that met the media on Sunday said the legislation was likely to bring more children into contact with the legal system, and cautioned that they could be harmed if cases are not handled sensitively.

“Once there are mandatory reports, then all the stakeholders in the legal procedures have to be trained and to be very aware and alert of the child's voice and perspective. All stakeholders, all the adults in this system have to be very alert of the child's emotions, feelings and their wish list and their expectations,” Anthea Lee, the chief executive of the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention said.

Lee added that everyone's role in the reporting system should be clearly delineated, and there should be a particular social worker whose sole focus is to help abused children to speak out about their needs.