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Access to child abuser files strictly controlled
In response to press enquiries regarding the running of its new computerised Child Protection Registry (CPR), a Social Welfare Department spokesman today (Tuesday) refuted allegations that files on child abusers would be open to abuse.
The spokesman said only authorised officers of the department who were involved in the running of the CPR would have access to this independent computer system. Access is strictly controlled.
"No personal data of any individuals would be disclosed to others, including 'registered users'," he added.
The registered users are social workers providing family casework service and senior medical practitioners who are handling child abuse cases. The only information obtainable from the CPR is whether a particular case they come across is registered and if so, which social worker is handling the case, so that timely intervention and follow-up service can be rendered.
The spokesman also said all data input forms would be kept in safe custody before they were properly destroyed after use.
The department opined that the operating procedures of the CPR complied with the Bill of Rights and legal advice had confirmed this earlier on, the spokesman said.
The objective of the computerised programme of the CPR is to facilitate better communication among government departments and non-governmental organisations which handle child abuse cases and which are registered users of the registry.
It also aims to collect and compile statistical information on the abused children and their abusers in all known or suspected cases of child abuse for the purpose of ascertaining the magnitude of the problem and thus to facilitate the planning and development of services which prevent child abuse.
The Social Welfare Department has introduced a computer filing system to its Child Protection Registry since last July to achieve such objectives, the spokesman said.
End/Tuesday, February 14, 1995
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