A 28-member Macao delegation, led by Head of the Family and Community Services Department of the Social Welfare Bureau Mr Tang Yuk Wa, visited the Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit (FCSV) and the United Christian Hospital (UCH) on January 25 to learn about their experience in preventing and handling domestic violence and child sexual abuse as well as fostering exchange and collaboration.

The delegates came from different professions. They included medical practitioners from paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology departments, forensic pathologists, clinical psychologists, police officers, legal practitioners, social workers and counsellors. The delegates called on the UCH to gain a better understanding of the measures, such as simplified workflow, environmental setting and professional intervention, for reducing the anxiety of child victims in medical examinations.

Then the delegates visited the Police Headquarters to learn about the legal aspects of child protection and the procedures of handling such cases. Senior Medical and Health Officer of Forensic Pathology Service Dr Lai Sai-chak shared with the delegates the expertise and experience in gathering forensic evidence of child sexual abuse. Chief Inspector of FCSV Wong Sau-ling explained the use of video-recorded interviews in criminal investigation, and the effectiveness of multi-disciplinary collaboration to protect child victims and their families.