XN000022-1990-09-23 — Page 5

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1990

RIGHTS OF THE CHILD MUST BE PROTECTED

THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED FROM ABUSE AND ARE ABLE TO GROW UP IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF HAPPINESS, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING.

SPEAKING AT THE CHILDREN CANDLELIGHT VIGILS AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, MRS WONG SAID WE HAD TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE DISADVANTAGED OR VULNERABLE CHILDREN WHO COULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY LOOKED AFTER BY THEIR FAMILIES.

"IN CASES WHERE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS DO NOT OR ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A HOME FOR THE CHILD, OR WHEN THE PARENTS REFUSE ΤΟ EXERCISE PROPER CARE AND CONTROL OVER THEIR CHILDREN, THEN STATUTORY OR NON-STATUTORY PROTECTIVE CARE WILL BE PROVIDED.

"IN HONG KONG THIS CARE MAY BE PROVIDED FOSTER-CARE, OR A VARIETY OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, NEEDS OF THE CHILD IN QUESTION, SHE SAID.

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THROUGH ADOPTION, DEPENDING ON THE

SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE RIGHT TO CARE EXTENDED TO CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, AND SO THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO DEVELOPING PROGRAMMES TO LOOK AFTER OLDER CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS WERE UNABLE TO CARE FOR THEM ALL DAY.

"ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RIGHTS OF THE CHILD IS THAT CHILD SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM VIOLENCE, INJURY, MALTREATMENT OTHER FORMS OF ABUSE.

THE AND

"THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNIT WAS ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 1983 TO PROVIDE IN-DEPTH ATTENTION TO THE WELFARE OF ABUSED CHILDREN," MRS WONG SAID.

"WE CONTINUE TO MAKE STRENUOUS EFFORTS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES TO IDENTIFY AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE DRAWING UP LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WHICH WILL ACCORD GREATER PROTECTION TO CHILDREN SUSPECTED OF BEING IN THIS TRAGIC SITUATION, SHE ADDED.

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TURNING TO THE RIGHT FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, MRS WONG SAID: "THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO SPECIAL CARE, AND THROUGH THE NETWORK OF REHABILITATION SERVICES WE AIM TO ENSURE THAT THEIR NEEDS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARE MET TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY TO DO SO.

"I ALSO BELIEVE THAT CHILDHOOD SHOULD BE A TIME OF HAPPINESS, AND THAT CHILDREN HAVE A NEED, AND A RIGHT, TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN GAMES WITH OTHERS OF THEIR OWN AGE, OR TO GO ON OUTINGS WITH THEIR SCHOOLMATES.

"SUCH THINGS COST MONEY, AND FOR PARENTS WHO DEPEND SECURITY, MAY BE BEYOND THEIR MEANS.

ON SOCIAL

"IT IS WITH THIS IN MIND THAT THE RECENTLY ISSUED DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990'S AND BEYOND IS PROPOSING A CHILD SUPPLEMENT TO LET FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE MERT NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN, MRS WONG SAID.

THE EXTRA

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