XN000022-1984-06-30 — Page 2

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 1984

PUBLIC URGED TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE

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A PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMME WILL BE LAUNCHED IN JULY TO RAISE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE AND TO ENCOURAGE THE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CASES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE PROGRAMME, FOCUSED MAINLY ON EARLY DETECTION, WAS CONSIDERED AN IMPORTANT MEASURE IN THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE CASES.

IT AROSE FROM THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE WORKING GROUP ON CHILD ABUSE SET UP LAST YEAR FOLLOWING CONCERN OVER THE PROBLEM, THE WORKING GROUP COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR.

+PROMPT ACTION IN REPORTING CHILD ABUSE MAY NOT ONLY SAVE THE LIFE OF A CHILD BUT COULD ALSO ASSIST THE FAMILY BY BRINGING THEIR DIFFICULTIES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE AUTHORITIES WHO ARE IN A POSITION TO HELP THEM, + THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED.

+CHILD ABUSE RESULTS NOT ONLY FROM PHYSICAL INJURY OR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, HE SAID. +IT MAY ALSO BE CAUSED BY GROSS NEGLECT, OR PSYCHOLOGICAL OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE.+

AN EXPLANATORY LEAFLET FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN PREPARED IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, OUTLINING SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE TO LOOK OUT FOR, THE NEED TO REPORT AND WHERE TO REPORT.

IT PROVIDES THE ADDRESSES OF 41 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHERE PEOPLE CAN REPORT SUSPECTED CASES.

THE PUBLIC IS ALSO ADVISED TO MAKE REPORTS TO THE SWD'S HOT LINE AT 3-432255 AND THE AGAINST CHILD ABUSE HOT LINE AT 3-7551122.

COPIES OF THE LEAFLET CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE 41 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, AS WELL AS FROM DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICES, KINDERGARTENS, CHILD CARE CENTRES, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND POLICE STATIONS.

PUBLICITY POSTERS WILL BE MOUNTED IN THESE OFFICES AS WELL AS AT GOVERNMENT POSTER SITES.

+IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, PEOPLE SHOULD CALL THE POLICE FOR ASSISTANCE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

TO SUPPLEMENT THESE PUBLICITY MATERIALS, SHORT MESSAGES URGING THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE CASES WILL BE BROADCAST ON RADIO AND TELEVISION.

IN ADDITION,