Teachers free to judge whether to call police before parents when child abuse suspected, Hong Kong welfare minister says
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong says principals and school management committees ‘misunderstand’ guidelines on reporting abuse
Hong Kong’s welfare minister on Sunday sought to clarify how schools should report suspected cases of child abuse, following concerns expressed by educators about notifying parents before police.
Teachers and social workers were worried that an official reporting mechanism could prove fruitless if they were required to inform the child’s parents before social services or police. They said it could affect how cases were handled.
But writing his weekly blog on Sunday, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong said principals and school management committees had “misunderstood” government-issued guidelines for reporting suspected cases.
“In fact, schools and social workers who have suspected child abuse cases may report them to the police or the Social Protection for Families and Children’s Services Division for follow-up without the consent of the parents,” Law said.
“They may also bring children to the hospital for inspection.”
Law added that while it would be better to speak to parents first, ultimately it would be left to teachers and social workers to make the “appropriate judgment” about whether to contact them.
