Latest news with #socialwelfare
South China Morning Post
14 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Guidelines overdue on Hong Kong child abuse law
It is almost a year since the passage of a law requiring professionals working with children to report suspected cases of abuse. It is another six months of preparation before it comes into effect – time that must be put to good use to promote awareness and provide guidelines for professionals and institutions. Figures from the Social Welfare Department on child physical and sexual abuse in 2024 are a reminder of that. They show that the number of child sexual abuse cases is not only creeping up but has nearly doubled over the past decade to more than 500 in 2024. More than one in five of the sexual abusers last year was 16 years of age or below. This has prompted lawmakers to demand urgent attention from the government, and for an early release of guidelines on the implementation of a mandatory reporting mechanism under a law that criminalises failure to act. The latter suggestion is sensible. The law places a heavy responsibility on more than 100,000 professionals, including teachers, doctors, social workers, midwives and childcare staff. It was subject to much debate and amendments to safeguard them from unfair blame. The 1,504 child abuse cases recorded last year were up from 1,457 in 2023 and 1,439 in 2022. They also included 595 cases of physical abuse, 328 of neglect, 43 reports of multiple abuse and another 16 involving psychological abuse. More than 910 or 60.5 per cent of the victims were girls, half of whom suffered sexual abuse, while 58.1 per cent of male victims suffered physical harm. Among child abuse cases, nearly 60 per cent of all perpetrators were parents.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Xia Baolong meets Hong Kong district officers and visits ‘community living room'
Beijing's point man on Hong Kong affairs has met district officers and toured a 'community living room' on the final day of his inspection visit, the Post has learned. Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) director Xia Baolong spoke to the chairs of the city's 18 district councils at the government headquarters in Admiralty on Sunday morning, according to sources. He then headed to a community living room operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in To Kwa Wan at noon. Beijing liaison office chief Zhou Ji, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, and Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han were seen visiting the facility with him. The spaces are a government initiative to ease the pressure on the tenants of Hong Kong's subdivided flats by providing them communal areas for cooking, dining, studying, showering and doing laundry. There are now six such facilities, mainly in Kowloon.
Malay Mail
21-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Siblings of alleged abuse victim placed in grandparents' care, say Perlis authorities
KANGAR, June 21 — The elder brother and younger sister of an 11-year-old girl believed to have been abused by their biological parents are now under the care of their paternal grandparents, while the victim is still being treated at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital (HTF) here. Perlis Social Welfare Department (JKM) director Ku Chik Ku Mat Esa said the department would take steps to obtain an interim custody order and identify suitable family members to care for the children. If no suitable guardian is found, they will be placed under JKM's care. 'Perlis JKM has sent a counsellor to meet the victim's siblings, a 12-year-old brother and a one-year-old sister, who are now with their paternal grandparents and are in good condition,' he told reporters after the Perlis state government's monthly assembly, here today. Ku Chik said the 11-year-old girl is currently under the care of HTF Paediatric Unit, where doctors are treating her injuries and assessing her cognitive development. Meanwhile, he said the department would also be meeting other family members to assess their acceptance of the situation and any trauma they may be experiencing. On Thursday, Bernama reported that police detained a married couple at a house in Arau early yesterday morning on suspicion of abusing their 11-year-old biological daughter since 2023. The couple has been remanded for six days starting yesterday for further investigation. Arau district police chief Supt Ahmad Mohsin Md Rodi was quoted as saying that the 37-year-old couple was arrested at 1.30 am after Perlis JKM received a complaint from a member of the public. In the Bernama report, Ahmad Mohsin said a medical examination at HTF revealed that the girl sustained injuries to the head, lips, chest, right rib, back, arms and calves, believed to be from being hit with blunt objects and scalded by hot water. — Bernama * If you suspect child abuse, call the following hotlines for free and confidential support: Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 (24/7); Talian BuddyBear at 1800-18-2327(BEAR) (noon-midnight daily); and One Crisis Centre (24/7) Wilayah Persekutuan at 03-26155555 (Kuala Lumpur General Hospital), 03-61454333 (Sungai Buloh Hospital) or 03-83124200 (Putrajaya Hospital).
Irish Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Appeals against initial refusal of Domiciliary Care Allowance successful 60% of time
More than 60 per cent of parents of disabled children win their appeals after being initially turned down for a care support payment, figures show. The Domiciliary Care Allowance is a €360 monthly payment for parents of disabled children under the age of 16. It is not means tested or awarded based on a child's disability or diagnosis, but is dependent on the level of care a child needs compared to a child of the same age who is not disabled. According to figures obtained by Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan , between 2020 and 2024 there were 35,234 Domiciliary Care Allowances awarded following 52,541 applications. Out of the 17,695 of applications refused, which represents 34 per cent of all families who sought the payment, 11,087 tried to appeal the refusal. More than 60 per cent of appeals taken saw the original decision overturned in part or in full. In 3,797 cases, a 'deciding officer' overturned the original refusal. In another 203 cases, the appeal was partially allowed. And in 2,912 cases an 'appeals officer' overturned the refusal. READ MORE Mr Geoghegan's figures, which are compiled from a series of parliamentary questions, also show that 67 High Court judicial reviews were taken after families were refused the allowance during the same time period. Of these judicial reviews taken, 50 resulted in the payment being awarded to the family. [ Spiralling numbers being diagnosed with disabilities will have 'significant impact' on social welfare spend Opens in new window ] Mr Geoghegan said he had met families who had to 'fight tooth and nail' for the allowance. 'It does not make sense to me. Especially because, if you meet these children, it's clear and obvious that they have an additional need that's being supported by their parents through one form or another,' Mr Geoghegan said. He added that the allowance should be accessible to families, who are forced to spend money on private interventions and therapies for their children due to long waiting lists and a lack of services through the publicly funded HSE. 'We're talking about the development of a child here, and the State is struggling to assess that child and provide that child with the services that that child needs,' he said. [ Woman successfully resolves 'test' action over domiciliary care allowance refusal Opens in new window ] Mr Geoghegan said the parents are spending money on private occupational therapists, private speech and language therapists, and private psychologists. In response, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said he is aware of issues experienced by families trying to access the payment. He said he is 'keeping a big focus' on the issue. 'I want to address the delays in appeals; we've allocated extra resources to that. My overall approach to [the allowance] is that it's dealt with empathetically but also efficiently,' Mr Calleary said. According to the Department of Social Protection , the waiting times for the outcome of an appeal against a Domiciliary Care Allowance decision have been cut since the start of this year. By the end of 2024, 1,709 such appeals were awaiting a decision. As of this week, the figure was 489. A spokesman for the Minister said that this was due to 'proactive measures'.
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Zawya
DFWAC highlights its ongoing efforts to support victims of human trafficking during U.S. consulate visit
Dubai UAE: In line with its commitment to strengthening international cooperation and exchanging expertise in the fields of social welfare and human rights, the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) welcomed an official delegation from the Consulate General of the United States of America. The delegation included Ms. Sharon , Chief of American Citizen Services, and Mr. usama Naguib, Senior Specialist in Political and Economic Relations The visit aimed to explore the Foundation's programs and initiatives dedicated to victims of human trafficking and to discuss its future directions in care and rehabilitation. The delegation was received by HE Shaikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director General of DFWAC, accompanied by Ms. Shams Al Muhairi, Director of Community Service and Awareness, Ms. Aisha Al Madfa, Head of Research and Studies, and Ms. Majd Al Nuaimi, Psychological Testing Specialist, along with several department heads and staff members. The visit began with an official reception at the Foundation's Executive Majlis, followed by a comprehensive presentation highlighting key psychological, social, and rehabilitation services, particularly those directed at victims of human trafficking. The tour also included a field visit to the Foundation's facilities such as play therapy and relaxation rooms, as well as an overview of family counseling methodologies and legal support mechanisms provided to victims. HE Shaikha Saeed Al Mansouri emphasized that the visit reflects the Foundation's approach to fostering partnerships with international stakeholders in the fields of women's and children's rights. She noted that knowledge exchange with strategic partners like the U.S. Consulate enhances the efficiency of protection efforts and enriches the victim support ecosystem. She stated: ' At the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, we believe that protection starts with awareness and culminates in empowerment. We are deeply committed to designing programs aligned with global best practices, in cooperation with our local and international partners, to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for those who have endured trauma.' The visit concluded with a mutual commitment to strengthen future cooperation in areas such as training, capacity-building, and knowledge exchange, to support sustainable responses to human trafficking and advance long-term social justice.
