Child Abuse Heightens Chances of Mental Problem by 6 Times Take Precautionary Steps for Child Safeguarding

A six years old boy was abused by a tutor who tried to stitch the child’s ear with a stapler; there was a large-scale child abuse outbreak in a children’s home…several serious child abuse cases in child-related institutions have been exposed in Hong Kong recently and sent a shock wave through the society. According to Social Welfare Department, there were 1,439 newly registered child protection cases in 2022 which is the highest on record and represents a 53% increase compared to the statistics in 2020. In 2021, cases related to child-related institutions took up only 5% of all cases. Yet one year later, the percentage rose to 8%, the situation is worrying.

According to the Social Welfare Department, there were 1,439 newly registered child protection cases in 2022 and it represents a 53% increase compared to the statistics in 2020.

From 2020 to 2021, Plan International commissioned Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute and conducted a Child Safeguarding Policy Research with parents, children, and in the education sector. This research indicated that one in 10 children had been physically punished in education institutions, even worse, about half of them had never told anyone else about their experience. This shows that children’s awareness to ask for help when facing risks of harm and abuse is low.

The Possibility for Abused Children to Suffer from Mental Illnesses Increases by Six-Fold

Dr Ip, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine from the University of Hong Kong cum Child Safeguarding Professional Advisor of Plan International Hong Kong pointed out that the possibility for abused children to suffer from Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or mental illnesses would increase by six-fold. Moreover, child abuse could keep on occurring through generations with long-lasting effects.

Research statistics from clinical observation and long-term case studies indicate that the brain development, behaviour, emotions, and academic performance of children who experienced abuse are affected to different extents. Apart from lowered self-esteem, it is also more difficult for them to establish healthy interpersonal relationships; in some cases, the abused children have shown symptoms of anxiety, depression, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Dr. Ip shared, “The environment in which a child grows up — the home, school, and community, all play a significant role in their physical and mental development. It is the responsibility of adults to create a safe environment for children to be free from any threats of abuse or negligence and grow up healthily.”

Moses Chan, Volunteer Ambassador of Plan International Hong Kong shared, “As a father of three kids, I am deeply concerned about children’s rights and safety. It is painful to hear about child abuse cases and I know I cannot be around my children all the time, therefore, the need to implement the Child Safeguarding Policy in child-related institutions is necessary and pressing. It protects children and enables them to learn in those institutions safely.”

“Child Safeguarding” is More Effective than “Child Protection”

Even one child abuse case is too much. Child protection is only the remedy after child abuse has happened. Plan International firmly believes that safeguarding children and minimising the risks of abuse and exploitation in the first place are the keys to stopping child abuse from happening and creating a safe environment for their growth. In 2018, we conducted comprehensive research on relevant laws and theories in other countries and Hong Kong to create an evidence-based framework for implementing the Child Safeguarding Policy in Hong Kong. The framework aims at providing guidance and procedures, to child-related staff, volunteers, and even the public who will come into contact with children at some point, on the proper boundary when getting along with children and the precautionary measures to protect children, for example, to provide a clear code of conduct describing appropriate and inappropriate behaviours. It also provides guidelines on preventing institutional child abuse, such as forbidding an adult to spend time with children alone and strengthening the trainings and support provided to child-related staff, volunteers, and working partners. We strive to eradicate the risk of child abuse at its source that allows all stakeholders to build a safe environment for children.

Support Plan International Child Safeguarding Programme

Hong Kong’s first “Kindergarten Child Safeguarding Practice Manual” and Online Learning Platform have been launched in March 2023. We aimed to provide child-related staff with guidance and trainings to familiarise themselves with the Child Safeguarding Policy and retrieve useful resources.

Dr. Ip, our Child Safeguarding Professional Advisor, emphasized, “Plan International provides guidance and advocates the culture on child safeguarding through their “Kindergarten Child Safeguarding Practice Manual” and Online Learning Platform.In addition to these resources, the toolkits could motivate child-related institutions to grow awareness and gain an understanding of the importance of child safeguarding while providing additional support and trainings to staff working in those institutions.”

Regular seminars and workshops are carried out for teaching staff and parents to promote their awareness of child abuse and their knowledge of existing regulations. These help them identify their roles and responsibilities for child safeguarding.

In May 2023, we introduced the concepts of child safeguarding to many parents and children through public parent-child activities, including story-telling and game booths.

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