Nearly half of Hong Kong children report facing physical punishment, emotional abuse common: survey
- Against Child Abuse conducted poll between last November and January, revealing psychologically abusive disciplining methods are common
- Survey found 49 per cent of child respondents encountered corporal punishment, while 68 per cent experienced scolding from their parents
Against Child Abuse, which conducted the poll between last November and January, said repeated behaviour that humiliated children, such as physical abuse and scolding, could impair a child’s physical and mental health.
The survey found 49 per cent of child respondents said they had experienced corporal punishment, while 68 per cent were scolded by their parents and 45 per cent reported receiving hurtful comments.
The organisation polled a total of 677 children aged between six and 17 as well as 470 parents with children aged from three to 17.
Karry Lau Yee-hung, the group’s development and training manager, said actions that humiliated children or deprived them of their emotional needs were considered psychologically abusive when a parent’s repeated behavioural patterns stunted a child’s physical and mental health.
“Some parents browbeat their children, and that does not result in any bodily harm, but what they don’t realise is that the child feels unsafe and fearful at home afterwards. Repeating such behaviour, such as emotional blackmailing, will cause psychological harm in children,” Lau said.