Parents urged to brush up

Parents have been urged to take courses on how to get along with their children after a rising number of abuse cases in recent years.

Social Welfare Department senior social work officer Wong Yuk-tong said yesterday most cases were a result of parents being unable to communicate with children.

Child Protection Registry records showed the number of physical abuse cases rose from 135 in 1995 to 193 last year. Sexual abuse cases rose from 53 to 162 in the same period.

Speaking at yesterday's City Forum, Mr Wong said the department had opened some courses for parents to brush up parental skills.

Educationalist Tang Mei-sin said some parents had the misconception that they were superior and could do what they liked to their children.