Education Bureau Circular No. 1/2012 Handling Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Cases

Ref.: EDB(GD)/20/5/3 Pt. 7

Government of the HKSAR Education Bureau 5 March 2012

Education Bureau Circular No. 1/2012 Handling Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Cases 【Note : This circular should be read by (a) Supervisors/Heads of all primary, secondary, special schools, kindergartens and kindergarten-cum-child care centres – for necessary action; (b) Heads of Sections – for information; and (c) Regional Education Offices and Joint Office for Pre-primary Services – for information and necessary action】 Summary This circular updates schools of the procedures for handling child abuse and domestic violence cases in the light of the issuance by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) of the “Procedural Guide for Handling Intimate Partner Violence Cases (Revised 2011)”, which replaces the “Procedural Guide for Handling Battered Spouse Cases (2004)”. Schools are requested to bring the content of this circular to the attention of all school personnel. This circular supersedes the EDBC No. 16/2009 dated 1 September 2009. Details 2. School personnel are advised to be sensitive to the traits of students being affected by child abuse and domestic violence and to provide them with necessary assistance. In handling these cases, the paramount concern is the welfare and safety of the child. Schools should follow the procedural guides issued by the SWD as mentioned below.

Handling Child Abuse Cases 3. When a suspected child abuse case arises, schools should consult as soon as possible the relevant departments and follow the appropriate procedures as stipulated

in the “Procedural Guide for Handling Child Abuse Cases (Revised 2007) (“Procedural Guide”) issued by the SWD at http://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_family/sub_fcwprocedure/id_child abuse1998/. Schools should pay particular attention to the following chapters of the Procedural Guide:    Chapters 5 to 7 : Multi-disciplinary Collaboration Chapter 23 : Educational Services Chapter 27 : Handling of...