Yuen Long and Tuen Mun have the most child abuse cases in Hong Kong, government reveals

There has been an increase in child abuse cases in Hong Kong, new Social Welfare Department statistics show, with 874 reported child abuse cases last year compared to the 856 reported cases in 2014.

Out of the city’s 18 districts, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun had the highest number of reported child abuse cases last year — including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse — with a collective 244 cases recorded in these two areas alone. Central and Wan Chai districts recorded the least number of cases, with only 20 cases between January and December 2015. 

According to the SCMP, experts believe the high number of cases in certain areas over others could be due to the lack of social support and welfare services in the communities there.

Jessica Ho, who works at local NGO Against Child Abuse, urges the government “to put more social welfare services in the areas worst hit” so that people can seek help whenever familial tensions arise.

Lawmaker Helena Wong, who sits on a LegCo committee currently reviewing domestic violence laws, stressed the isolation faced by the families and victims who live in housing estates in remote parts of Hong Kong. She added that small sub-divided flats make it more difficult for parents to “manage their emotions”. 

Unfortunately, the situation could be grimmer than the statistics indicate as there is no law requiring that cases of child abuse be reported, meaning the numbers could be much higher. 

 


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