Require sexual conviction reviews for those working with Hong Kong children, group urges
Child protection body highlights loopholes in scheme amid investigation of claims that male teacher molested two sisters at local school
A scheme for employers in Hong Kong to review the sexual conviction record of those working with children should be legislated and made available to parents, a child protection group has said.
Speaking on a radio programme, End Child Sexual Abuse Foundation executive director Michelle Tam highlighted several loopholes in the current scheme.
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She said the scheme was not mandatory and that the sexual conviction record of an employee was only checked if an employer made such a request.
“For example, if a tuition centre is in a hurry to get a substitute teacher, it might not do such a check,” she added.
If a tuition centre is in a hurry to get a substitute teacher, it might not do such a check
Tam said schools operating under the Education Bureau performed these reviews. But a foundation study a few years ago of 1,700 private tuition centres in the city found that fewer than 20 per cent carried out reviews.
Tam added that those convicted could still use different ways to approach children.