Job losses 'will lead to more child abuse'

High unemployment will lead to more children becoming victims of abuse, a child-care worker has warned.

Priscilla Lui of Against Child Abuse said the economic crisis was a 'time bomb' for children, as more and more parents lost their jobs.

'People won't start beating their children immediately they become jobless.

'But there will be more conflicts within families as their time at home is longer.

'More importantly, people may feel angry and frustrated and thus vent their anger on their children when they fail to cope with economic pressure,' she said.

Mrs Lui said the economic crisis had not yet been reflected in the number of child abuse cases.