Ahead of the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance coming into effect on January 20 next year, the Hong Kong government has released the official Mandatory Reporter Guide. The guide aims to assist 25 categories of designated professionals in social welfare, education, and healthcare sectors in identifying and reporting serious child abuse cases, in hopes of building a stronger child protection system.
At the heart of the guide is a decision-making flowchart, developed by three advisory groups. The chart is based on cross-sector input, analysis of over 600 real-life case scenarios, and more than 30 focus group discussions. It provides a standardized framework to help mandatory reporters determine when a case meets the threshold for mandatory reporting.
To improve efficiency, the Social Welfare Department has also developed an electronic support tool for the flowchart. The system uses a question-and-answer format to help professionals assess case details and automatically refer qualifying cases to relevant reporting platforms. This aims to streamline the process and reduce response times.
The government also plans to launch online training courses for relevant professionals. The curriculum will cover the legal foundation of the ordinance, practical use of the guide, common case scenarios, the reporting process, and follow-up measures—ensuring professionals are well-equipped to carry out their reporting duties.