NEWSLETTER August 2006
Painting a Caring & Non-violence World
In order to uphold the spirit of zero tolerance of violence and to This had been a sad quarter as we continued to witness children promote the importance to stop family violence, explore means neglected, sexually and physically abused. These children’s tragic beyond corporal punishment, several programmes organized in situation aroused debates and advocacy. Representatives from this quarter had been launched. The Child Protection Carnival ACA attended lobbying sessions with legislators and attended the cum Centre Open Day, the Spank Out Day supported and Welfare Panel discussions on child protection and child neglect. officiated by Mr. Paul Tang, the Director of Social Welfare and You may wish to refer to the ACA position papers presented by Ms. Tong Ling went well. The Hong Kong Child Protection Strategic the director and the internship students from the University of Hong Alliance, has been supported by ACA, The Hong Kong Council Kong, social science faculty, medicine faculty and law faculty of Social Service, Dr S F Lin, PhD, Department of Psychology, the (Refer to http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/panels/ Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Committee on ws/papers/ws0629cb2-2594-2e.pdf). ACA urged the Children’s Rights, Hong Kong Association for the Survivors of government to update and review the current child protection policy Women Abuse (Kwan Fook) and Office of Fernando Cheung, to ensure prevention and remedy receiving equal resources and Legislative Councillor. support. Furthermore, ACA continued to strive for children being represented and a high power platform, a Child Commission and With the funding support from the Community Investment and a Child Commissioner be promptly appointed to speedily improve Inclusion Fund, the ACA Safe and Child Friendly Community Project children’s well being and to ensure the best interest of the child in Wong Tai Sin moved to the stage of mentoring with a group of respected. dedicated volunteers. The Sharing Forum enabled participants, volunteers and service users, to share and care. The evaluation of Other than consolidating experience and serving the local children programme effectiveness continued with the help of Dr Dennis and families, the Macau government after three years contact and Wong Sing Wing, Associate Professor, Dept. of Applied Social preparation, invited ACA to assist in the setting up and supervision Studies, City University of Hong Kong. of a child protection centre in Macau which was opened on 17th June, 2006 and this was a 500 meter sq. site in Taipa, Macau. Cyber addiction and indecent materials adversely affected our children. To assist children and families to improve IT skills and The planning of the ISPCAN 2008 Congress continued and with knowledge, ACA provided a list of training and educational pro- our staff participating in the coming York Conference, i.e. the 16th grams in this area in the past quarter and through such opportuni- ISPCAN Congress, the first announcement of the ISPCAN 2008 ties child protection concerns were shared and explained. Congress may be made. We invite you to put this date in your With the kind support and donation of an anonymous donor, a diary: 7-10th September, 2008, and start preparing for your group of children and families took part in the one day Hong good practices and effective and interesting programs either in Kong tour. The sight-seeing and buffet lunch, perhaps a normal remedy or prevention of child abuse to be presented in this function for many of us, appeared an unusually exciting programme international forum. for some children and families who have never had such opportunities before. We will continue to arrange for recreational Let us end with a joyful note and announce the good tidings that and developmental programs with such donations. our colleague Ms. Glorise Wu and Mr. John So who have given birth to their baby girl on 21st June, 2006. Our colleague Ms. In this quarter we ventured into pilot programs to explore models Anthea Lam celebrated her wedding on 8th July, 2006. ACA to treat and counsel parents who abused and children who were extends warmest congratulations to them for a healthy and happy abused. The Batterer Intervention Therapeutic Group started to start of their family. enhance parenting skills and management of their often disturbed emotions. ACA was invited to join with the City University, Caritas – Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Association of Art Therapists in organizing the Smart Ambience Therapy Exhibition to promote innovative therapy to help the abused children.
To share experience with professional counterparts who were also concerned and worked with children, the child protection certificate course continued to be well attended by different professionals. The ACA director was one of the speakers in a seminar organized by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service on “Violence Against Children and Corporal Punishment”. The legislator the hon. Mr. Cheung Man Kong was another speaker who has been very concerned with the recent fatal case of the ten year old who was asked to enter a suitcase and who died as a result.
eÉ~Ç=lÑÑáÅÉ qìÉå=jìå=`ÉåíêÉ NMTJNMUI=dLcKI=t~á=vìÉå=eçìëÉI QMTJQMVI=qáåÖ=`ÜÉìåÖ=eçìëÉI `Üìâ=vìÉå=EkçíÜäF=bëí~íÉI lå=qáåÖ=bëí~íÉI=qìÉå=jìåI=kKqKI !"#$%& tçåÖ=q~á=páåI=hçïäççåI=eçåÖ=hçåÖ eçåÖ=hçåÖ A MEMBER AGENCY OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST qÉäW=EUROF=OPRN=SMSM qÉäW==EUROF=OQRM=OOQQ c~ñW=EUROF=OTRO=UQUP c~ñW=EUROF=OQRT=PTUO bJã~áäW=~Å~]~Å~KçêÖKÜâ bJã~áäW=~Å~O]~Å~KçêÖKÜâ eçãÉ=m~ÖÉW=ÜííéWLLïïïK~Å~KçêÖKÜâ Summary of Major Activities : April to June 2006
Month Project/Title Activity
April One Day Tour for families This gathering, held on 9 April targeted our service users and sponsored by the Protection of Angel’s Fund.
Child Protection Carnival cum To convey the message of child protection to the public. Centre Open Day (Tuen Mun) The carnival “stop family violence, child protection” was held on 14 April.
Seminar on Prevention of Violence Mrs Priscilla Lui, ACA Director and Child Councilors were invited to share against Children organized by views on Violence against Children and Corporal Punishment in the Hong Kong Council of Social Service seminar on 28 April.
SpankOut Day Organized by the Hong Kong Strategic Alliance on Child Protection and held at the Dragon Centre on 30 April.
April to June ACA Safe and Child Friendly Sharing forum on 8 April 06 at Sik Sik Yuen Fung Ming Hall Community Project in Wong Tai Sin - Parent Group Meeting on 11 & 27 May - Children Activity-Experiencing Music on 27 May - Mentoring Program
Zero Tolerance of Violence against - Volunteer recruitment from April to early May Children – Moving Beyond Physical - 4-session volunteer training between 12 May and 2 June and Humiliating Punishment - Promotion function on Father’s Day - Painting a Non-Violent World at Kowloon Park on 18 June - Production of a set of exhibition board on Beyond Corporal Punishment in June
Parental IT Program 29 schools have joined this programme during 18 March to 27 June, which aims to enhance parents’ understanding of and knowledge in handling the child protection, ethical and legal issues involved in using IT.
May Volunteer Training Training held on 11/5, 18/5 & 25/5 in Tuen Mun
Understanding Children’s developmental The 8-session course was organized by HKU SPACE and conducted by ACA needs from 6 May to 24 June. Aim of the course was to help participants understand the needs of children and effective child management.
Talk on “Children Behavioral Management” To enhance parenting skills on child behavioral management was held on 21 May
May to July Batterer Intervention Therapeutic Group First two stages in 9 sessions (26/5-7/7) and the third stage with 5 sessions (8/9- 6/10). The purpose is to help those abusive parents with difficulties in child management.
June Smart Ambience Therapy Exhibition City University, ACA, Caritas – Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Association of Art Therapists jointly organized the exhibition to promote the innovative therapy to help the abused children and their families from 14 June to 25 June.
Children’s Council Project Recruitment of Child Councilors 2006 started in June - Children’s Council Working Committee was invited to participate in the Council for Sustainable Development’s Second Engagement Process on Population Policy
Certificate Course on Child Protection 4-session training course for professionals was held on from 8 June to 29 June
Opening Ceremony of Macau Against The opening ceremony took place on 17 June in Macau Child Abuse e2 Forthcoming Events : July to September 2006
Month Project/Title Activity
July Service Users’ Gathering 2006 Meeting and Barbecue at Whitehead Club on 8 July.
A Press Conference The press conference held on 12 July in ACA head office
July to August Summer Programmes: Parent–Child Art & To enhance Parent – child understanding through art and craft emotional Craft Workshop mask producing on 24, 31 July and 7 August.
July to September Child Safe:Prevention of Tragedy Sponsored by Matilda Sedan Chair Charities Fund with the aim to prevent family tragedy by promoting child safety and non-violent discipline. Activities include: - Games Day on Child safety on 29 July - Children’s Therapeutic Group: Knowing Me, Knowing You during 18 July - 4 August - Parent-Child Interactive Workshop on Non-violent Discipline on 2 September
ACA Safe and Child Friendly Community - Mentoring Programme Project in Wong Tai Sin - Summer Programmes for children and families. - Volunteer Recruittment - Volunteer Training
Parental IT Program ACA will continue with this programme, to enhance parents’ understanding of and knowledge in child protection, ethical and legal issues involved in using IT.
Zero Tolerance of Violence against Production of Training Kit Children – Moving Beyond Physical and Humiliating Punishment
Children’s Council 2006 - Screening of applications in early July - Briefing Session on 15 July - Training programme between 20 July and 24 August
Project Teens: Violence Prevention This project was sponsored by the Committee on the Promotion of Civil Education with the aims of preventing violence among teenagers and their parents by promote non-violence conflict resolution. Activities include: - Teenagers Training Programme in August - Explorative Survey in Septmeber to November - Parent-Teenager Interactive Workshops in September to December
August Parent–Child Museum Tour To enhance general education through visit museum on 4 August.
14th International Baby / Held in HKCEC during 5-7 August, ACA has a booth for promotion. Children Products Expo
Parent–Child Harmonious Tour To enhance Parent–child communication through visit & handicraft making on 13 August.
Cottage life Experiential Day Camp To experience the cottage life through the visit on 19 August.
Children empowerment work: Kids’ Dream Kids’ Dream Launching Ceremony on 26 August
Summer Programmes: To enhance Parent–child communication through adventure training on Parent – Child Adventure Day Carry 26 August.
August to Staff Retreat The staff retreat serves the purpose of reviewing and planning services September and strengthening team spirit. - Staff Evaluation Meeting on 30 August - Macau Tour on 23 & 24 September
September XVIth ISPCAN International Congress on “Children in a Changing World: Getting it Right” University of York, United Child Abuse and Neglect hosted by Kingdom 3rd – 6th September BASPCAN
e3 Safe and Child Friendly Community Project in Wong Tai Sin (3-Year Project) Sponsored by the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF)
With funding support from the Community Investment and Mentoring Programme : April to June 2006 Inclusion Fund, Against Child Abuse (ACA) launched this three- Since March 2006, mentors were matched to children and year project “Safe and Child Friendly Community Project in families. These “person to person” contacts enabled the mentors Wong Tai Sin”. This Project aims at developing a mutual help to provide support and concern to families in need. At this network and a safe and child friendly community in Wong Tai very initial stage of the supporting program, we already Sin District. observed that trust and understanding is being built up. Mentors began to help children and families to explore more their Volunteers were identified and trained to be “Child Friendly personal potentials and to expand their social network and Mentors”. “Child Friendly Mentors” support the children and resource. Lately, some parents introduced this project to other families in need to build confidence to reach out and get to families in need hoping that a stronger network could be built know the community and to utilize community resources. and service needs could be met. Besides, the mentors encourage and empower them to expand their social network and increase their sense of belonging to A review meeting with mentors was conducted on 20th May the district. 2006. Mentors were able to communicate with each other, share common experiences, successes and difficulties. They The project invites governmental organizations, non- thought their effort was worthwhile knowing that children and governmental organizations, and the commercial sector to form families had made positive changes after their contacts. Their a core network group to build a safe and child friendly spirit remain high! community collaboratively. Experiencing Music and Parent Sharing on Sharing Forum at Sik Sik Yuen 27th May 2006 Fung Ming Hall 8th April 2006 Four volunteers from Wah Wai Music Company taught guitar, Being the first Sharing Forum of the Project, we were happy to basic theory of music, shared music and songs with 25 children involve our mentors, children, parents and collaborator to share on the day. To many of the children, this was the first experience in the event. There was genuine sharing in their presentation. they had to learn to play an instrument. Around 180 persons participated including people from different sectors : GOs, NGOs, schools, church and commercial Parents, gathered at the playroom in the same afternoon to parties in the district. Special thanks to the Wong Tai Sin Fire share their concerns and expectation of the project. After the Service Station. A team of firemen attended our event and discussion, a summer program and parenting program will be shared their willingness to support the project in future. For prepared to meet the needs of the children and parents. entertainment, Sik Sik Yuen Lo Lap Primary School and Po Yan Primary School performed singing and dancing. In the coming year, we will continue to look for enthusiastic volunteers and families in need to join the project. For enquiry Meeting Dr. Raymond Wu and and recruitment, please contact the project officers, Ms Lee Yee CIIF Secretariat Ming or Ms Anthea Lam at 2351 6060 or visit our website : We were delighted to meet Dr. Raymond Wu, Chairperson of http://www.aca.org.hk. the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund and the CIIF Secretariat to review our project on 19th April 2006 at the CIIF Secretariat Office. On the day, Dr. Patricia Ip, our Chairperson, Mrs. Priscilla Lui, Director, the project team- members and one mentor, Ms Ann Leung joined the meeting. This was a significant sharing and discussion as this was the first exchange after the project commenced in May 2005. Dr. Wu made encouraging remarks as he observed that our project, in particular the mentorship program matched the ideology of the Fund. What we had done in the year was a good start to build a network of genuine support and concern for the needy families. This could set an example for similar projects. e4 Zero Tolerance of Violence against Children: Moving Beyond Physical and Humiliating Punishment Sponsored by Save the Children Sweden
This Project was launched from March 2006 to February 2007 to campaign proactively for the holistic growth and development of children in a caring non-violent environment. It appeals to the community to stop violence towards children, particularly against the use of physical and humiliating punishment as an acceptable means of discipline.
Volunteer Training Programme Thirty volunteers were recruited for the Project after screening interviews. A four-session volunteer training programme was conducted between 12th May and 2nd June to enhance the participants’ understanding of corporal punishment and its negative effects. The training content included children’s rights and child protection, understanding of violence against children, Elaine Cheng (former Child Councilor) and Mr Lam Ngo Chi positive and non-violent child management concepts, issues of (winner of the SpankOut Day logo design). There were also corporal punishment and programme organizing skills. some game booths, love cards and exhibition in order to spread out the message of anti-corporal punishment and encourage Promotion Function on Father’s Day - children to express their voice. Painting a Non-violent World On Father’s Day, 18th June 2006, about 100 participants Objectives of the event were to promote the importance of comprising kindergarten to primary six children and their providing a safe and peaceful environment for our children as parents, 40 volunteers and staff of ACA were all busy with well as to raise public awareness on the role of fathers in anti- their paints and brushes in Kowloon Park Piazza painting 10 corporal punishment and positive child discipline. pieces of pictures. The 10 pictures were finally finished after two hours and assembled together into a huge painting. Special thanks to our volunteer, Miss Kris Wong for designing the huge picture. Furthermore, four guests were invited to have a sharing on parenting or on their parents. They were Dr Fernando Cheung (Legislative Councilor), Mr Michael Leung (DJ of RTHK), Miss
e5 Child Participation and Children Empowerment
Since the year 2000, Against Child Abuse, Hong Kong Supporting the World of Children’s Council Committee for UNICEF and Hong Kong Committee on Working Committee Children’s Rights have joined hands to promote the United Sponsored by Save the Children Sweden Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and children’s rights in Hong Kong by organizing the UNCRC – Child Ambassadors’ Scheme and then the Children’s Council Project with the support and sponsorship of Home Affairs Bureau. Both projects emphasized children’s participation and empowerment.
Children’s Council 2006 Programme Sponsored by Home Affairs Bureau
The Children’s Council Project commenced in October 2002. Children below the age of 18 are recruited to be Child The Children’s Council Working Committee is formed by the Councilors. The Children’s Council held its inaugural meeting Child Ambassadors recruited in 2000 and the Child Councilors in March 2003 in the Legislative Council Building, where recruited annually since 2003, who are interested to continue motions concerned by the Child Councilors were discussed promoting children’s rights. They become the organizing agencies’ partners in promoting children’s rights and child and moved for the government’s consideration. participation. The Working Committee’s recent activities and involvements: A new batch of 60 Child Councilors were selected for the 4th (1) Four members attended the Launching Ceremony of the Children’s Council from about 100 applicants in early July. Invitation and Response document on Population Policy cum This year we have children coming from ethnic minority group. First Regional Forum organized by the Council for A briefing session was held on 15th July to introduce the project Sustainable Development on 29th June. A representative of the Working Committee was invited to share their details to the Child Councilors and prepare them for their future aspirations for a sustainable population policy, from the participation. A series of training programmes on the UNCRC children’s perspective and as a stakeholder, in the Launching and children’s rights would be conducted in the summer Ceremony. vacation. (2) Upon Dr Hon Fernando Cheung’s invitation, the Working Committee submitted opinions on a comparative study on child protection on 8th July. The Panel on Welfare Services agreed to conduct the research on the child protection policies and measures in other countries to facilitate discussion on the situation in Hong Kong. (3) After some years’ development, the Working Committee becomes more independent and well organized. They would be renamed and have their own logo on their big day: the Kids’ Dream Launching Ceremony. As captured by the name, they strive to actualize the dream of all children - their fundamental rights – child rights. In the Launching Ceremony, they would be showing a video “What’s Your Dream?” in which people of different age groups recalled their childhood dreams. The members have interviewed children, adults, elders, foreigners and a number of prominent figures such as Hon Mrs Rita Fan, Hon Fred Li, Dr Hon Fernando Cheung, Hon James Tien, Prof. Arthur Li, Dr Sarah Liao and Mrs Priscilla Lui, ACA Director. The Kids’ Dream Launching Ceremony would be held at The Salisbury, YMCA of Hong Kong on 26th August 2006. One Day Tour for Children and Family The Protection of Angel’s Fund aimed to provide recreational and educational activities for deprived families. This function consisted of a sight-seeing tour in the Hong Kong Island and a delicious lunch buffet at a hotel. Twenty-seven case families including 90 children and their parents joined the tour. As most families lived in Kowloon or the New Territories, some of them never had such a sight-seeing in the Hong Kong Island before. They were excited when they arrived at the Golden Bauhinia Plaza at Wai Chai and took a lot of photos there. After that, we went to Repulse Bay and Stanley. The participants, in particular the children, enjoyed the sunshine and also played on the beach. They also had a lunch buffet at a hotel with delicious food. For some, it was their first buffet. After having a big lunch, we went to the Peak and took a great picture there. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the donor for establishing this fund to provide creational and educational activities for the deprived families. e6 2006 Child Protection Carnival cum Centre Open Day
In order to arouse the public awareness on child protection and was our officiating guest. Four local leaders, 4 schools understand the different forms of child abuse, ACA Tuen Mun Centre and 9 NGOs volunteer groups participated in the activity. organized a Child Protection Carnival cum Centre Open Day on The Child Protection Carnival attracted over 1,000 people 14th April 2006. The theme of the Carnival was “Stop Family to the activities. The child protection message was Violence for child protection”. The activity was sponsored by Tuen conveyed through different forms of activities and the Mun District Council. The activity content included child protection understanding of Tuen Mun Centre services. The game booth, exhibition, children performance and ceremony. The evaluation found that the Child Protection Carnival could Tuen Mun Assistant District Officer of Social Welfare Department arouse public concern on child protection. Hong Kong Strategic Alliance on Child Protection: SpankOut Day 2006
Child protection is a collective responsibility not only locally but also globally. In 2001, the UN General Assembly requested the Secretary- General to conduct an in-depth study on violence against children. The International Save the Children Alliance is committed to contribute towards the study End Violence Against Children. A Strategic Alliance was formed to study the prevalence of corporal punishment in Hong Kong. The participating partners are The Hong Kong Council of Social Services, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Psychology, Office of Fernando Cheung, Legislative Councilor, The Hong Kong Association for the Survivors of Women Abuse and the Director of Against Child Abuse, Mrs. Priscilla Lui was invited to be the Coordinator of this Alliance.
In response to the SpankOut Day 30th April, 2006 Against Child jointly with the Hong Kong Strategic Alliance, organized a series of activities to promote positive and non-violent child discipline and a caring and safe environment for the healthy development of children.
In order to bring widespread attention to children’s attitude to corporal punishment, we organized an Anti-Spanking Logo Design Competition targeting children. Students studying in Primary One to Secondary Three were invited to express their feelings and thoughts on corporal punishment and violence against children through designing a creative logo for the SpankOut Day. We received 287 entries from primary and secondary schools and children art centres.
The presentation of awards and exhibition of the logos were held on 30th April, the SpankOut Day, at the Dragon Centre. The winning design was used as a sticker and about 5,000 stickers were distributed on that day. We had more than 180 attendants at the ceremony.
Mr Paul Tang, Director of Social Welfare, was the officiating guest in this anti-spanking event. Mrs. Priscilla Lui, Director of ACA, as the Chairperson of the Strategic Alliance, called to end corporal punishment of children and actualize zero tolerance of violence for the optimal growth of our children. Other special guests in the program included Mr. Dominique Pierre Plateau (Regional Advisor on Prevention of Child Abuse and Exploitation, Save the Children Sweden), Ms Leila Tong and Ms Mio Chan (both well-known Hong Kong actresses), Dr Patricia Ip (Chairperson of ACA) and Dr Chow Chun Bong (Chairman of Hong Kong Committee on Children’s Rights).
On stage, Mr. Paul Tang, Director of Social Welfare led the children and our guests on the SpankOut Day Declaration - Against Violence towards Children. Furthermore, Ms Leila Tong, shared her cheerful childhood which was free from any violent experience. Also she appealed to parents and child minders to use non-violent alternatives to discipline children instead of corporal punishment.
e7 “Children Behavioral Certificate Course on Child Management” Protection As how to manage child behavior was a major concern for We conducted another Certificate Course on Child Protection parents, a talk on “Children Behavioral Management” was between 8th June and 29th June this year to share our organized on 21st May 2006. Mr. Cheung Yiu Ming, a experience in handling child abuse with frontline professionals. famous parent educator, was invited to conduct the talk. The The four-session training course was designed to help response was very encouraging with 33 parents and 13 participants understand child protection issue from different children attending the talk. The presentation of Mr. Cheung aspects, such as service delivery system, handling procedures, was very stimulating and lively. The evaluation found that the prevention and treatment as well as legal protection. Out of participants were able to obtain more knowledge and skills 46 participants, over half were police and a quarter of them through the talk. 95% of participants were satisfied with the worked in school as well as children and youth service. content. They requested to invite Mr. Cheung to conduct another talk in future. HKU SPACE course: Smart Ambience Therapy “Exploration of Child Exhibition Developmental Needs” The exhibition is jointly organized by the City University of In order to promote the child protection concept to the public, Hong Kong, Against Child Abuse, Caritas - Hong Kong and with the support from HKU SPACE, Against Child Abuse’s social the Hong Kong Association of Art Therapists during 14th to workers conducted an 8-session course to introduce the child 25th June, with the aim to introduce an innovative therapy developmental needs to the public. The course content included approach. This pioneering approach combines virtual reality child basic needs, child emotion, listening skills, positive and interactive media technology with traditional art therapy. parenting skills and prevention of child sexual abuse. The course Structured sessions would be provided by the art therapist. commenced on 6th May 2006 and lasted till 24th June 2006. This approach works well and effectively to resolve the emotional 15 participants including social worker, teacher and other trauma of the abused children and their families, and to help professionals participated in the course. The evaluation found build a confident future. ACA is glad to collaborate with the that the participants were satisfied with the course content and City Univerisity to explore more new and effective therapeutic obtained child protection knowledge and skills. approaches to these children and their families.
Recruit Volunteers for ACA Flag Day
Community Chest, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Government Date: 28th October 2006 (Saturday) subvention and other funding bodies constitute ACA’s main Time: 7:00a.m. to 12:30p.m. financial sources. As there are growing needs in family and Area: New Territories children’s service, our resources have become stringent. To ensure continuing provision of quality service, it is necessary Please fill in the enrollment form and fax it to us on or before for ACA to raise funds through Flag Day. 30th September 2006. The enrollment form can be obtained from our website: We welcome all interested parties of age 14 and above to http://www.aca.org.hk participate. Those who are under age 14, may join their For any enquires, please feel free to contact Mr. Joseph Wong, parents or guardians as parent-child teams. the coordinator, at 2450 2244. e8