When
а
complaint of abuse in such an
immediately
institution is received, the superintendent
enquires into the facts by interviewing the parties
concerned. At the same time, the superintendent informs
the parents or guardians of the alleged victim if they
are available. After this preliminary inquiry, the case
is then reported to the police for investigation,
and
concurrently,
Headquarters.
to
Social
Welfare
Department
Any member of the staff of an
an institution
involved in а case of abuse is interdicted during the
police
investigation
and, where necessary, during
judicial proceedings.
Whether or not the incident leads
to a criminal
prosecution,
appropriate
disciplinary
action is taken.
There
are
and standing arrangments
rules
to
protect mentally retarded residents in
a rehabilitation
institution from abuse. These include the separation of
accommodation by sex, the provision of personal care for
male and female residents by male and female staff
respectively, the close supervision of any male workmen
required to enter a female dormitory to carry out
repairs
heavy or
work, the strict
of prohibition
corporal punishment of any residents, the regular and
frequent inspection of institutions by supervisory
staff, and general awareness of the complaint procedures
amongst the residents and staff concerned.
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