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In addition to the existing five District Committees on Child Abuse founded in 1995 in Tuen Mun, Kwun Tong, Tai Po and North, Sham Shui Po, Eastern and Wan Chai, eight more will be set up in 1996 in Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, Sha Tin, Wong Tai Sin and Sai Kung, Kowloon City, Yau Tsim and Mong Kok, Central Western and Islands, and Southern Districts.
To tie-in with the amended Criminal Procedure Ordinance implemented in 1996 which enables child abuse victims to give evidence through video recorded interviews and to testify through a live television video link system in court, Mrs Chu said that the Police and Social Welfare Department had formed a Child Protection Special Investigation Team (CPSIT) on December 4, 1995.
Furthermore, she noted that to enhance handling of child sexual abuse cases by front-line professionals of different disciplines and different departments or organisations, a set of comprehensive guidelines, "Procedure for Handling Child Sexual Abuse Cases", had also been implemented with effect from March 1, 1996.
"Professional resources for the child protection service will be further strengthened by additional staffing provision to the Child Protective Services Unit in 1996/97 as well as continuing to arrange joint training programmes for the concerned professionals," said Mrs Chu.
Apart from initiatives taken by the Government, the Assistant Director (Agency Service) of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Miss Virginia Chan noted at the press conference that the children abuse problem was also a prime concern of the non- governmental organisations (NGOs).
On the role of the NGOs, she said: "NGO workers in many service sectors, like family service centres, child care centres. outreaching teams, children and youth centres and integrated teams, will be involved in making referrals to the Child Protection Special Investigation Team.
"Some NGOs start to organise pilot treatment groups for adult survivors of child sexual abuse and parallel groups for parents and children on prevention of child sexual abuse."
"In addition, public education programmes including seminars, exhibitions, distribution of publicity materials and mass programmes have also been carried out by NGOs at the district level," said Miss Chan.
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