Spark Deep Dive: Hong Kong government seeks to protect residents at city’s care homes

A staff member at a care home has been arrested and charged with raping a 21-year-old woman and sexually assaulting a 20-year-old man. The 38-year-old man worked at Kwong Fuk Hostel of Hong Chi Pinehill Integrated Vocational Training Centre in Tai Po. It is run by the Hong Chi Association. This is the city’s largest non-governmental organisation serving people with mental disabilities.

The alleged incidents happened in August. However, they were only made public in separate statements by the association and the Social Welfare Department at the end of October.

Some criticised the delay in revealing the information. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said the government had to choose the right time to talk about the case.

“A very important thing is to ensure that the emotions and mental state of the two victims and their families are stable and that they can accept the disclosure of the incident,” he said.

Sun said authorities will require the association to renew its licence yearly for care facilities housing people with disabilities. Previously, this was done every three years.

The Social Welfare Department asked the organisation to investigate the incident. It must also submit improvement plans to prevent future cases and protect residents’ well-being.

The Hong Chi Association said it had created an independent review committee to examine the case. The committee will review existing protective measures for residents. It will also recommend steps to prevent violations in the future.

The NGO said it did not intend to hide the incidents. It added that the organisation had offered psychological counselling to those affected. It also sent social workers to be with them during the police investigation.

In addition, the NGO said it has added new preventative measures. It will increase staffing levels, the frequency and duration of monitoring, and improve staff training.

Welfare authorities announced they had updated a code of practice to improve surveillance monitoring standards earlier in October. The code will require care homes for people with disabilities to clearly assign staff and set time periods for them to observe real-time CCTV footage.

This is the second time an association employee has been charged with the rape of a mentally disabled resident under the NGO’s care.

In August 2017, Bunny Leung Chung-kin, then 56 and a senior foreman with the association, was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison. He had admitted to raping a mentally disabled woman under his care twice and molesting her once the year before.

Staff writers

1. Which of the following reasons were not cited by authorities for the delay in announcing details of the alleged sexual assault cases involving Hong Chi Association?

(1) The suspect had not been identified.
(2) The Social Welfare Department wanted to minimise public concerns.
(3) Authorities had not received the report from Hong Chi Association at the time.
(4) To ensure the emotional stability of the victims and their families.

A. (1), (2) only
B. (1), (3) only
C. (2), (3), (4) only
D. All of the above

2. List TWO actions initiated by Hong Kong authorities and the Hong Chi Association to address cases of abuse in care homes.

3. In your opinion, have Hong Kong authorities done enough to protect residents living in these care homes? Explain using the news and your own knowledge.

1. What facility is pictured in this photo? Why has it been in the news?

2. What do you think of the measures introduced by the Hong Chi Association to prevent future cases of abuse? Will they be effective? Explain using the news and your own knowledge.

Social Welfare Department: Hong Kong’s government agency focused on providing services for the elderly, disabled, young people and low-income residents

staffing levels: the number of employees needed to run a business or organisation effectively

surveillance monitoring: observing or tracking people using cameras, sensors or other software

1. B

2. Authorities will require the association to renew its licence for its care homes every year instead of every three years. The Social Welfare Department also asked the organisation to conduct a thorough investigation and submit improvement plans to prevent future incidents. (accept all reasonable answers)

3. The Hong Kong government has taken prompt action to address the cases of abuse that have surfaced. It sent official warning letters to five care homes, warning these facilities that they should be responsible for protecting persons with disabilities from any kind of abuse. They will also require the Hong Chi Association to investigate the incident and implement new safeguards. In addition, welfare authorities have updated a code of practice to improve surveillance monitoring standards. These measures indicate that the government is taking the issue seriously. (accept all reasonable answers)

1. This is the Hong Chi Pinehill Integrated Vocational Training Centre Kwong Fuk Hostel in Tai Po, run by the largest NGO service provider for those with intellectual disabilities. It has been in the news because, in August, a 38-year-old male worker was arrested and charged with raping a 21-year-old woman and sexually assaulting a 20-year-old man.

2. I think the measures will be effective. The association said it had established an independent review committee, which would review existing protective measures for residents and recommend steps to prevent violations in the future. It also increased staffing levels, the frequency and duration of surveillance monitoring, and improved staff training.