Hong Kong’s children must be kept from harm’s way
- Authorities need to swiftly act on promises to improve screening, training and oversight of carers, and pursue legislation and community outreach
The heartbreaking case of a baby girl severely hurt while under the care of a nanny recruited under a government-funded childcare scheme has again put a spotlight on the need for Hong Kong to do more to protect its youngest citizens. Initial investigations suggested the girl was physically abused.
Early last month, her parents had asked the NGO Yan Oi Tong for a babysitter while their domestic helper went on leave.
The father had left the nine-month-old with the carer last Thursday morning, but by the afternoon she was being rushed to Tuen Mun Hospital, unconscious and with a swollen left eye. A blood clot was found on her brain and she needed surgery.
The 33-year-old woman who was caring for the baby was arrested on Saturday. The Social Welfare Department confirmed the babysitter was recruited under the “community nanny” childcare scheme launched by the government in 2011.
More than 1,700 community nannies were recruited under the programme by June last year. Paid HK$25 (US$3.20) an hour, the nannies cared for more than 10,000 children under the age of nine in 2022-23.
Last year, the government pledged to boost the payments starting in April under a policy package to reverse the city’s declining birth rate.
Vetting and training of carers has been inconsistent among the 18 NGOs operating the programme. Previous experience is required by some, but not an absolute requirement.
Training durations ranged from about two to eight hours. Authorities said the woman under investigation was trained before starting work in January and the injured baby was her first charge.
Hong Kong babysitter granted bail after arrest over allegedly abusing infant
Public awareness about child abuse has risen after recent cases emerged at care facilities. Legislation is being prepared to require reporting of such crimes by health professionals, educators and social workers.
There is understandable concern that the latest incident will undermine confidence in a programme that is in high demand.
Authorities must follow through quickly with promises to improve screening, training and oversight of carers, as well as pursue broader efforts including legislation and community outreach. Children must be kept out of harm’s way.
