HONG KONG – A leading child protection charity in Hong Kong, Against Child Abuse (ACA), reported a significant increase in requests for support during the 2024/25 period, signaling heightened public and professional vigilance against child maltreatment ahead of new mandatory reporting legislation. The organization’s Parent-Child Support Line documented 1,144 help-seeking interactions and inquiries, an 85-call rise from the previous financial year. Among these contacts, 207 were identified as suspected cases of child abuse, affecting 241 children, exposing critical areas where intervention and awareness are urgently needed.
The statistics reveal a concerning pattern: physical abuse constitutes the majority of reported issues, and close family members are the alleged perpetrators in most instances. ACA noted that professional consultations sharply increased over the past two years, propelled by high-profile domestic tragedies and anticipation of the forthcoming Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, scheduled for implementation next year.
Physical Abuse Dominates, Psychological Harm Underreported
Of the 207 suspected cases verified by the hotline, 56% (116 cases) involved physical abuse. Neglect followed with 34 cases, while nine cases alleged sexual abuse, including incidents linked to online exploitation. Twenty-two cases involved multiple forms of mistreatment.
Chief Executive Donna Lau emphasized that although physical cases are more readily identifiable due to visual signs like cane marks, psychological abuse often goes undetected and is severely underreported due to a lack of overt symptoms and public awareness.
“Psychological abuse is often difficult to detect and therefore under-reported,” Lau stated, urging greater public vigilance toward this often-overlooked form of harm. She anticipated overall reporting figures would climb further once the legal duty to report takes effect next year.
Family Members Remain Primary Perpetrators
Alarmingly, family members were identified as alleged abusers in 69% (161 individuals) of the suspected cases. This group included 63 mothers and 57 fathers, with some incidents involving both parents. Lau stressed that when harm occurs within the family, intended as a safe haven, it severely damages a child’s self-esteem and psychological well-being.
Victims were predominantly young children, with the largest group aged six to eight (58 children), followed closely by those aged three to five (54). ACA links increased family strain to factors such as parental work stress, inadequate parenting skills, academic pressure on students, and conflicts surrounding screen time and gaming.
In terms of reporting sources, family members accounted for 64% of all calls, with mothers initiating 76% of those family-originated requests. Professionals and neighbors contributed 18% and 17% of the reported cases, respectively. The sharp increase in professional consultations, surging from 80 in 2022/23 to 211 in 2024/25, showcases the impact of recent tragedies and pending legislation on those professions obligated to safeguard children.
Addressing Online Risks and Legislative Gaps
The nine suspected sexual abuse cases included warnings about rising online grooming risks, where perpetrators impersonate peers or trusted adults via social media platforms to solicit intimate material and build harmful trust. Lau called for comprehensive sex education in schools and stronger government measures to combat online sexual offenses.
Dr. Patrick Cheung Chi-hung, ACA Chairman, welcomed the mandatory reporting law but indicated that additional support measures are essential before its enactment next year, including robust training and public education campaigns. Dr. Cheung urged the government to implement a “failure to protect” offense, clearly define the legal status of psychological abuse with accompanying public campaigns, and impose a comprehensive ban on corporal punishment, including within the home, to fortify child protection mechanisms across the territory. ACA expects the increasing demand for support to persist and plans to enhance resources for practitioners navigating these evolving challenges.