Child abuse reporting law set

July 11, 2024

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun:

With the passage of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse legislation today, we will soon publish it in the Gazette.

The legislation will come into effect 18 months upon its gazettal.

We are going to make use of the coming 18 months to make sure that everything is ready, so that by the time the legislation comes into effect, all the professionals who are required under the law to make mandatory reporting will get the necessary training.

We will also, at the same time, put in place additional facilities and homes to cater for the increase in cases of reporting.

Also we are going to step up our efforts in terms of promotion, publicity (and) make sure that we all work together for the welfare and betterment of our children.

The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse legislation will come into effect 18 months upon its gazettal, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said today.

He made the remarks after the passage of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Bill by the Legislative Council this afternoon.

Mr Sun also said the bill will soon be published in the Gazette.

“We are going to make use of the coming 18 months to make sure that everything is ready, so that by the time the legislation comes into effect, all the professionals who are required under the law to make mandatory reporting will get the necessary training.

“We will also, at the same time, put in place additional facilities and homes to cater for the increase in cases of reporting.”

The welfare chief added that the Government will step up its efforts in terms of promotion and publicity to make sure that the related parties all work together for the welfare and betterment of Hong Kong's children.