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We are aware of the importance of public education as a prevention strategy. To promote public awareness of child abuse, we conducted a territory-wide publicity campaign in 1995 to educate the public on the early identification and reporting of such cases, and launched the first phase of the campaign on prevention of child sexual abuse in April this year which will be followed by a second phase towards the end of the year. At the district level, District Committees on Child Abuse have now been set up in all Districts to co-ordinate multi-disciplinary efforts in tackling the problem and organising public education activities.

With regard to spouse battering, we held a seminar in March this year to help foster a better understanding of the problem by professionals of various disciplines and their co-operation in handling such cases. Publicity leaflets to encourage victims to seek assistance and to publicize services available for them will be introduced early next year.

Work on Broadcasting Bill

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Samuel Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Broadcasting, Culture and Sport, Mr Chau Tak-hay, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

In the Policy Commitments of last year's Policy Address, it was stated that the Government was conducting a thorough review of the existing broadcasting legislation with the aim of bringing all forms of broadcasting within the purview of a comprehensive piece of legislation, so as to make the regulatory framework more user-friendly and adaptable to the rapid changes in technology in the broadcasting industry. However, it was mentioned in the Progress Report of the 1996 Policy Address that work on the proposed Broadcasting Bill has been suspended in order to take forward other higher priority tasks. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council whether it remains committed to implementing the proposed Broadcasting Bill; if so, when the drafting work on the proposed Broadcasting Bill is expected to complete; if not, why not?