At the workshop, which placed emphasis on "community partnership", the Senior Social Work Officers of the Social Welfare Department's Family and Child Protection Services Unit in New Territories East and West, and their frontline social work officers were briefed on the new structure of the Regional Crime Unit 3 (RCU) NTN which has been designated as the unit to handle all child abuse cases in NTN. They were also assured that the RCU officers, with their expertise and experience, would provide quality services.

The social workers were also informed that the Senior Inspector (Administration & Support) Crime of NTN is the Regional Liaison Officer with the Child Protection Policy Unit (CPPU), Social Welfare Department and Non-governmental Organisations on matters of education and policy.

At the meeting, NTN officers and the social workers exchanged views on how to handle child abuse cases and discussed the difficulties that both parties have encountered.

It was pointed out at the meeting that the Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) Cadre in NTN has been implemented for more than one year, fully utilising trained officers to conduct video recorded interviews on non-CAIU cases. After the restructuring, the 28 cadre members have provided valuable services as evidenced by their 100 per cent turnout rate over the past six months.

Workshop on child abuse and domestic violence is well-received