'Web guide to give answers on child abuse reporting'
Labour and welfare chief Chris Sun says people can figure out if a suspected offence is reportable by answer around 10 questions on a new web-based system. Photo: RTHK
The government says it will introduce a new web-based tool for professionals to help them comply with a new law requiring them to report suspected cases of child abuse to the authorities starting next year.
Labour and welfare minister Chris Sun people who aren't sure whether what kind of cases are reportable would get "peace of mind" after answering around ten questions on the new system.
"By way of answering multiple questions, the system will let them know at the end of all the questions whether or not the case is one that they have to report under the law, or it's not a mandatory reporting case," Sun told reporters after attending a radio programme.
"The purpose is to make sure that all the professionals have a peace of mind when it comes to the obligations of the law. Through the system, instead of going through a very thick book of reporting guidelines, they can just answer the questions."
The Mandatory Report of Child Abuse Ordinance, which will take effect in January next year, requires 25 types of professionals including doctors, social workers and teachers, to report suspected serious maltreatment cases.
Those who fail to inform the authorities when they suspect a child is suffering physical, psychological or sexual abuse face a maximum penalty of three months in prison and a HK$50,000 fine.
The labour secretary also expressed concern over a fatal industrial accident that happened while the red rainstorm warning was in force.
On Thursday, a worker at a site near the border bridge connecting Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai died after he was hit by a falling metal beam, while a second worker was injured.
"We are investigating the incident and making sure that the employers are doing everything they could to provide all the precautionary measures to make sure that workers are undertaking work in inclement weather are adequately protected," Sun said.
The contractor involved has been temporarily suspended from bidding for public road and drainage contracts, or carrying out related works.
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