Letters | Hong Kong must widen the net to better protect its children
- Child protection in Hong Kong tends to focus on physical harm, but not the psychosocial or holistic development aspect
- In keeping with global principles, Hong Kong must do more to cover newly identified areas of harm towards children
An apt analogy can be drawn for our children whose protection currently tends to focus on physical harm in its extreme manifestations, but not the psychosocial aspects, let alone their general well-being and holistic development, with due regard to their innate rights and entitlements.
Countries such as Australia and Britain which advocate that “every child matters” have spent considerable time reviewing their laws, administration, education and social service systems, allocating resources to ensure a safe and fair environment that respects children’s rights.
Furthermore, they have introduced legislation against internet dangers including sexual abuse and online bullying.
In addition to the above, legal protection for children’s rights and well-being in Hong Kong must be strengthened to cover newly identified areas of risk and harm towards children and to reflect the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, extended to Hong Kong since 1994.