XN000022-1982-11-24 — Page 24

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1982

SYSTEM OF HANDLING CHILD ABUSE CASES UNDER REVIEW

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THE SYSTEM OF HANDLING CHILD ABUSE CASES WAS BEING REVIEWED AFTER MAKING ENQUIRIES AND INVESTIGATIONS, PARTICULARLY INTO RECENT COURT CASES, TO TRY TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEM AND TO STRENGTHEN THE PROCEDURES FOR EARLIER IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES FOR CHILDREN AT RISK, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JOYCE BENNETT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEYNE DESCRIBED CHILD ABUSE AS A +DIFFICULT AND TRAGIC SOCIAL PROBLEM+.

HE REPEATED A CALL TO THE PUBLIC TO REPORT ANY SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASES TO THE POLICE OR TO THE NEAREST DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OR BY CALLING THE DEPARTMENTAL HOTLINE (3-432255).

MR ALLEYNE SAID THAT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASES WERE NORMALLY DEALT WITH BY A SOCIAL WORKER IN THE S.W.D. OR A VOLUNTARY AGENCY, STAFF IN A HOSPITAL OR CLINIC OR OTHER PEOPLE SUCH AS TEACHERS.

AS AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, THERE WERE 159 CASES CLASSIFIED AS CHILD ABUSE UNDER THE CARE OF THE S.W.D.

THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT ON BEING NOTIFIED OF A SUSPECTED CASE, A CASEWORKER WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY ASSIGNED TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION AND TO MAKE A REPORT.

THE CASEWORKER WOULD NOTIFY THE CHILD'S PARENTS OF HER INTENTION TO SEEK A MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND ESCORT THE CHILD TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL. THE POLICE WOULD ALSO BE NOTIFIED.

IF THE PARENTS WERE UNWILLING TO CO-OPERATE, THE CASEWORKER COULD EXERCISE HER POWERS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE TO DETAIN THE CHILD FOR ADMISSION TO A PLACE OF REFUGE.

+ IF THE DOCTOR HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE CHILD HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF ABUSE, A CASE CONFERENCE ATTENDED BY ALL THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF CONCERNED WILL BE CALLED TO WORK OUT A CO-ORDINATED TREATMENT PLAN FOR THE CHILD AND HIS FAMILY,+ MR ALLEYNE SAID.

IF THE PARENTS REFUSED TO CO-OPERATE AND THERE WERE GROUNDS FOR BELIEVING THAT FUTURE ABUSE WAS LIKELY, A CARE AND PROTECTION ORDER WOULD BE OBTAINED.

IF THE CHILD REQUIRED TO BE REMOVED FROM HIS PARENTS, THE CASEWORKER WOULD ARRANGE FOR THE CHILD TO BE ADMITTED TO À PLACE OF REFUGE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE, HE SAID.

+SIMILAR GUIDELINES ARE APPLIED WHERE A CASE COMES TO THE ATTENTION OF OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE DIRECTOR SAID. +THESE PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN IN FORCE SINCE SEPTEMBER 1981.+

ŠTH APPLY