The Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children on Friday urged the public and businesses to do their bit to create a safe and positive environment where children can thrive. The call came as the society carried out what it said was the city's first survey on awareness and perception of child safety. A poll of more than 1,400 people over the summer found that about 75 percent lacked an understanding of the issue, the group said. "[Child safeguarding] is actually a more proactive approach. We look at the entire environment more comprehensively to adopt preventative measures to protect our children," said the society's director, Subrina Chow. "The general public needs to understand there are a lot of precautions or preventative measures that organisations, schools, the government, individuals and private enterprises can take to ensure the environment is safe and healthy enough for children to use and experience," she added. Four hundred of those surveyed work with children and 71 percent said they did not receive any training on child protection, while 62 percent were unaware of whether their company has policies in this area. The society said only 37 percent of the workers reported having completed a Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC) before starting their jobs. "The scheme is important for colleagues who work with children face-to-face and especially those who will work alone with children," Chow said. "Having the government to mandate the SCRC for certain services would be important, for example residential services, where staff would be staying in the same space with children most of the day, they should definitely go through the check before being allowed to work with children." The society suggested the government strengthen public awareness on safeguarding children and lay out protection policies.
