ENG-1956 — Page 207

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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

children under one year of age. During December a new Centre was officially opened by the Society at Shaukiwan.

Women & Girls' Section. In common with all important sea ports, Hong Kong faces the social problem of prostitu- tion on a large scale. Apart from economic pressure which forces women to take up the trade, many very young girls are forced into prostitution by destitute parents. The Women and Girls' Section of the Social Welfare Office discharges statutory responsibility for the welfare of children in moral danger under the Protection of Women and Juveniles Ordin- ance. The reclamation and rehabilitation of these young girls, many of them still children, is the principal responsibility of the Section, but aid is also given to any adult prostitute who wishes to return to a normal life. The Section is also closely concerned with aid to unmarried mothers and their children, to adolescent girls in need of care or protection, to victims of indecent assault, etc.

The most important part in the rehabilitation of girls who have gone astray is the finding of suitable employment, and here some difficulty arises in fitting each girl to the work most suited to her capabilities. Another real difficulty is the very strong local prejudice against employing any woman or girl who has been a prostitute.

The Sisters of the Good Shepherd, who are specialists in this type of welfare work, are now well settled in their new home, Pelletier Hall, where they provide up-to-date and effective institutional training for juvenile prostitutes. It is hoped that Pelletier Hall will eventually be in a position to accommodate up to 150 girls.

Probation. Delinquency amongst juveniles and young persons in Hong Kong does not on the surface constitute a problem which can compare with that of large towns and sea-ports in the United Kingdom. Most juveniles appear before the Courts in Hong Kong and Kowloon on charges of illegal hawking, whilst amongst the remainder charges of