Hong Kong to launch guide for professionals required to report child abuse cases

Hong Kong authorities will launch a guide for professionals required to report child abuse cases by the end of the month, which will include a decision tree that can be used as a legal defence in court.

An ordinance that requires 25 education, healthcare and social work professions to report suspected cases of child abuse will come into effect on January 20 next year, with offenders liable for a maximum penalty of three months in jail and a HK$50,000 (US$6,370) fine.

Welfare officials told a Legislative Council panel meeting on Monday that a guide for these professionals would be released by the end of July and would include a decision tree and supplementary analytical framework.

They also affirmed that more manpower and resources would be allocated to handle an anticipated uptick in child abuse case reports, such as residential childcare services and multi-professional support teams.

“The purpose of the guide is to help mandatory reporters identify suspected cases of child abuse and lay down the basic principles for their reference,” said Wendy Chau Fung-mui, assistant director of family and child welfare.

“The guide is a supplement, but not a replacement for the professional judgment of mandatory reporters … they do not have to use the decision tree when making a report if they have relevant experience.”