Delegates from 17 Asia-Pacific countries, along with several from the United States and the United Kingdom, participated in the Fifth Asian Conference on Child Protection from November 25 to 27.

The convention saw a host of presentations from Hong Kong agencies including the Child Protection Policy Unit who introduced delegates to the Force's measures in the legal protection of children. CPPU officers joined those from Child Abuse Investigation Units who also participated in the conference hosted by the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, the Social Welfare Department and Against Child Abuse. The guests were told how legal reforms approved four years ago provided a good foundation for the Force to tackle child abuse and to establish further measures to protect kids.

Implementation of a live TV link and video-recorded evidence in court cases was also an important milestone along with the multi-disciplinary approach in the enforcement of the new legislation. CPPU gave delegates a tour of the Force's video facilities and outlined its procedures in taking statements from such vulnerable witnesses, impressing many and showing the Force was a regional leader in the protection of children.

In her speech to the conference, CPPU Superintendent Maria Siu said the Force had established the appropriate legislative amendments, training for skilled personnel, and also the hardware to do the job.

In taking a serious view of fighting child abuse the Force had accorded priority in allocating resources which not only involved simply convicting the culprits, but also providing quality services to both the victims and their families with sensitivity and compassion being prime considerations.

"Implementing the new procedures on video recording was not easy to begin with and has not been smooth sailing. There were some very successful cases and some failures. However, we have learned from the mistakes and have been progressing in the right direction. Our experience has shown video-recorded interviews to be a viable and valuable means for handling child witnesses," Ms Siu said.

"Legal reform has provided a good foundation for Police to work on child abuse cases. Without the legislative changes, it would be more restrictive for us to prove a child abuse case for judicial disposal."

Amendments to the laws in 1995 improved children's rights to have their evidence heard by the courts. They included allowing any child under 14 to give unsworn evidence admissible without corroboration, and the lifting of restrictions which previously prevented children's evidence from corroborating other evidence.

Another milestone came about in February 1996 when new provisions were approved under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance allowing the admission of video-recorded evidence from a child, and the use of a live video link in court allowing a child to give evidence without having to set foot in the court room. A support person was also allowed to accompany the witness.



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