Observations and Stakeholders' Views Gathered at the Engagement Session on "Launching Ceremony of the Child Protection Campaign"

On the implementation of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance

Some stakeholders expressed concerns about their capability and experience in accurately identifying child abuse cases.
In order to avoid criminal liability for non-compliance to the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, specified professionals might tend to make a report when they are not sure if a case falls under the mandated reporting regime.
It was anticipated that there would be diverged views on whether and when a case should be reported in an institution (e.g. a school involving different categories and levels of mandated reporters).
It would be particularly difficult to make report on sexual abuse cases, as the cases may involve consensual/non-consensual relationships, and there were incidents in which children may falsely claim to have been sexually assaulted due to different reasons.
It was concerned that misreporting of suspected child abuse cases would have a negative impact on the parent-child relationship and also undermine the trust between parents and institutions/the 25 professions.

On the event arrangement

The event was well-organised and effectively engaged the professionals among the stakeholders of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance. It provided non-official members of the Commission on Children (CoC) with the opportunity to interact directly with stakeholders and share their perspectives on the implementation and preparatory work related to the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance.
It was suggested that future CoC events could benefit from incorporating more interactive sessions with professional sectors to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration among participants.
The opening remarks of the Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the CoC on the collective responsibility for child protection highlighted the crucial role each sector plays in ensuring a safe environment for children.
The event effectively raised public awareness and demonstrated a united front in promoting and addressing child protection.
The pledging ceremony with children to present potted seedlings to professionals marked a touching moment that symbolised the commitment of relevant professional sectors and members of the society to safeguard the well-being of children and promote the message of “child protection is the responsibility of all” to the public.
The props and costumes representing each category of professionals were well-chosen and eye-catching.
Hosting the countdown event at the Victoria House with the attendance of senior government officials underscored the Government's commitment to child protection and fostered a conducive environment for interaction among participants.
Inviting children to participate in the ceremony successfully created a good balance between formality and warmth, fostering an inviting atmosphere that encouraged open dialogue and engagement among the attendees.
The theme “One Year Countdown to the Commencement of the Ordinance” was particularly impactful. It served as a reminder of the urgency and importance of making preparation for the implementation of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance.
It was recommended to continue adopting the countdown theme in future engagement events and to organise different activities to sustain public interest and involvement regarding the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance.