ENG1001 Presentation

3 Reasons accounting for the rising trend of

child abuse in Hong Kong amid COVID-19
⬩ 1) Statistics of child abuse in Hong Kong during COVID-19
⬩ 2) 3 major reasons accountable for child abuse in Hong Kong
during the pandemic
-Increased parent-child quantity time
-Increased stress from life changes
-Social isolation
 Children are defined as
individuals aged 0-17

 1006 & 946 Child abuse cases

were reported in 2019 and 2020
respectively

 3 in 5 of the abusers being

parents

(Social Welfare Department, 2021)

 The number of cases in the first three months of this year has increased by two-
thirds comparing to the same period last year

 The number of cases involving children aged two to six:

First half of this year > Total number in 2020

(Social Welfare Department, 2021)

 Many parents…
Have limited understanding towards child abuse  committed without noticing
Have bad parenting traits inherited from their family of orientation
(Physical abuse = discipline?)

 Long period of class suspension  Increase shared time

 Unprecedented  Increased risk of conflict

 Change of family roles

Unemployment

Special needs of children

 Deal with additional stress
 Increased tendency to vent anger on children

 Dual income families  Neglect

 Children are separated from school  Fail to reach help

 School closure  teachers failed to spot and report signs of abuse

 Social workers were unable to work effectively  cases were serious when exposed

 Explained why the number of reported child abuse cases exploded as school
reopened earlier this year
-Parents should be role model

-Children are treasure, not burden!

 Knott, K. (2020, September 9). Child abuse in Hong Kong escalating as pandemic sees children and stressed
parents spending more time at home, expert says. South China Morning Post.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3100671/child-abuse-hong-kong-escalating-
pandemic-sees?module=perpetual_scroll&pgtype=article&campaign=3100671

 news.gov.hk. (2021). Jobless rate hits 7.2%. Retrieved from

https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2021/03/20210316/20210316_164235_264.html

 Social Welfare Department. (2021). Child Protection Registry Statistical Report 2020.
https://www.swd.gov.hk/storage/asset/section/3219/en/Annual_CPR_Report_2020_Final.pdf

 Sun, F. (2021, August 14). Hong Kong child abuse cases rise sharply during Covid-19 pandemic, some
parents stressed by job, money worries, experts say. South China Morning Post.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3145006/hong-kong-child-abuse-cases-rise-
sharply-during-covid-19?module=perpetual_scroll&pgtype=article&campaign=3145006

 Vaterlaus, J. M., Beckert, T. E., & Schmitt-Wilson, S. (2019). Parent–Child Time Together: The Role of
Interactive Technology With Adolescent and Young Adult Children. Journal of Family Issues, 40(15), 2179-
2202. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X19856644