It is a universally accepted fact that it is the right of every child to be free from being subjected to any harm. This is the basic premise of the concept of child protection. To date, issues pertaining to the encroachment of the rights of the child has consistently piled up as manifested in the cases stock up all over the world. Such issues like child prostitution and child labor are mere examples of the tumultuous environment on which a child could encounter. It is only appropriate that nations all over the world recognize the immediate concern regarding this phenomenon. Unless this issue of abuse and neglect has consistently been impressed on the individual child, its troubling consequences shall continue to rise as well. Some of these consequences include a significantly reduced life span of the child which is manifested in fluctuating mortality rates. Other issues like poor education, homelessness and the trickling effect of poor parenting in the future are only a few that has been pointed out in the existing literature on the protection of the rights of the child. Hong Kong is one of the states of the world that adheres to the protection of such rights. However, there may well be a problem in this regard as there certain instances that still reflect the infringement of such rights. To some extent, this may indicate a possibility that a good number of individuals have no clue as to the existence of such rights and that its actual violations are tantamount to felonies, offenses and even crimes against the law.
II. Abuse of the ChildChild abuse has accumulated numerous definitions throughout the years. Generally, it is considered as the maltreatment that comprise of every types of physical, emotional, sexual, and negligent management of the child. Essentially, the common denominator in this extent is the presence of danger and the potential harm on which the child is subjected. Normally, it is said that the adults are the ones who have directly or culpably responsible for such maltreatment. Whether or not there is intent in causing the harm is immaterial. Consummation of such acts is tantamount to abuse. The following parts shall define the common acts of child abuse recognized by the international community.
A. Physical AbuseThis is characterized as the acts committed by the parent or the guardian of the child that triggers actual injury or the possibility of injury on the child. In the study by UNICE from 1980-2005, there are current adults who have suffered from abuse when they were children. In a 2002 study of the same, there were approximately 1.2 million children that were subjected to child trafficking all over the world on a yearly basis. In countries in East and West Africa, Yemen, and some parts of Southeast Asia, female children are subjected to the abhorrent practice of female genital mutilation. The UNICEF indicated in their website that there were over a hundred and thirty million women, young and old, who have undergone the repulsive act.
B. Sexual AbuseThere is danger on the life and limb of the child with the existence of actual offenders that pinpoint young individuals as prey. The problem is that this is expounded by the inherent possibility that these types of offenders may come in the form of trusted individuals. The context of sexual abuse is characterized as any act whereas the parent, guardian, or any adult employs the child as a means of gratifying his/her sexual urges. The UNICEF conducted a survey to male and female adults and found out that majority of the respondents experienced sexual abuse as a kid. The same organization also indicated that there are over 1.39 million individuals in the entire world engaging in forced commercial sexual exploitation. If that figure is not troubling enough, it is then imperative to highlight that 40%-50% of these individuals are children.
C. Emotional AbuseThis abuse is rather abstract in nature. It refers to the failure of the parent or guardian to supply the needed emotional support and the environment on which the psychological development of the child is structured. Since it is abstract, there is a considerable difficulty in defining and measuring the actual extent as to what constitute emotional abuse. However, there have been studies that indicated that certain states in the Southeast Asian region indicate that adults constantly use the threat of abandonment as a tool for disciplining a misbehaving child. According to the UNICEF, this form of disciplinary measure is considered as the lesser evil as compared to corporal punishment or hitting the child.
D. NeglectThe concept of neglect points the failure of the guardian or the parent to give the necessary elements for the development of the child. Such elements may include education or shelter among others. It must be emphasized that the presence of neglect is not akin to poverty, though a huge possibility of this taking place. Neglect is primarily seen in the rate of child labor all over the globe. In a 2004 study of UNICEF, there were 317 million children from five years old to seven years old who are actively earning money in exchange of labor. The said figure further added that of the said statistic, over 126 million are supposedly engaged in what has been classified as hazardous work.
III. Child Protection in Hong KongTraditionally, child welfare in Hong is determined whether or not the child is healthy. A child is considered healthy if it is not emaciated or constantly ill. What was given importance is the well-being of the child with regards to its health. On the other hand, the skewed perception of abuse as a form of discipline is considered as a domestic problem, hence the state could not meddle with. It is only in instances when the child is in a deplorable state that the public take cognizance of the matter. Therefore, in olden times the child must have to incur mortally threatening injuries in order for the state to take action. From the early part of the 90s to the turn of the millennium, the problems regarding child abuse and the encroachment of the rights of the child have consequently increased exponentially. This is apparently because of the fact that there are some cultural constraints that held back the state and civic groups in addressing the issue first hand. The following discussions shall take into account the state actions in Hong Kong with reference to the child abuses described in the earlier part of this paper.
A. Role of the StateB. Existing Legislation for Child Protection
C. Civic Society’s Share
IV.Possible Adverse Effects of the Environment
A. Acts of God
B. Economic Implications
C. Reforms in Education
V. Conclusion
VI.Bibliography
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