The Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit (FCSV) under the Crime Support Group conducted seminars on identifying and handling child abuse cases for all Regions in March and April. The seminars, held in collaboration with the Education Bureau (EDB) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD), aimed to foster multi-disciplinary collaboration and to enhance stakeholders' knowledge and professional sensitivity in child protection.

With the assistance of school liaison officers from the Police Public Relations Branch, the FCSV invited 1 468 teachers and staff members from 816 kindergartens and 226 primary schools to the seminars. Frontline staff from EDB and SWD, as well as school liaison officers from all Districts joined the events to maintain liaison with stakeholders.

During the seminars, paediatricians from public hospitals and a Force Clinical Psychologist talked about ways to identify suspected child abuse victims by observing physical traits and through behavioural indicators respectively. The Force Clinical Psychologist also demonstrated skills in communicating with suspected child abuse victims. An Educational Psychologist from EDB shared ways to handle students who are emotionally affected by abuse occurred to their schoolmates.

To ensure early intervention of suspected child abuse cases and rendering of support services to the victims, an EDB representative explained the mechanism for reporting absentees in kindergartens, whilst SWD officers elaborated on the cross-departmental referral systems as well as procedures for convening multi-disciplinary case conferences. In addition, FCSV officers explained to the audience the protective measures rendered to child abuse victims throughout the stages of police investigation and judicial proceedings.

FCSV will continue to assist frontline officers in developing liaison networks with the related professionals and enhancing the stakeholders' knowledge in handling child abuse cases.