Police
Intervention
The Hong Kong Police Force
will handle and investigate all complaints or reports of child abuse,
domestic violence and sexual violence cases. In emergency situation,
a report should be made through the 999 Hotline. In other situations,
the report can be made to any police station, Police Hotline 2527 7177,
or any police officer. List of telephone numbers of police stations
can be found here.
The details of the victims and the informants will be kept confidential.
Police officers will treat
all victims with care and sympathy and take all necessary steps to ensure
their privacy.
The police officers of Child
Abuse Investigation Units (CAIUs) of the Police and the social workers
of Family and Child Protective Services Units of Social Welfare Department
will form the Child Protection Special Investigation Team to conduct
joint investigation in serious child abuse cases that fall within the
Charter of CAIUs as stipulated in Chapter 20 of the "Procedural Guide
for Handling Child Abuse Cases - Revised 2007". Investigation into
child abuse cases fall outside the charter of CAIU will be undertaken
by Police Divisional/District Crime Units. When required, clinical psychologists
will also take part in joint investigation. To reduce the child victim's
anxiety, video-recorded interviews with child victims will be conducted
in the specially designed Video Interview Suites.
In spouse / cohabitant battering cases,
the primary concern of the Police is the safety of the victims and their
children, who will be referred to appropriate refuge centre or SWD when
necessary. The victims will be provided with information concerning
various government departments/NGOs which provide social/legal services.
Depending on the circumstances, they may be referred to SWD in the absence
of their consent.
In sexual violence cases,
police investigation will be conducted in such a way that the victims
will not be further traumatized. Police will also introduce to the victims
the counselling and support services of SWD and other NGOs. Subject to their consent, arrangement will be made to refer
them for appropriate services.
To enable the victims to
better understand their rights, they will be furnished with a copy of
the
Victims of Crime Charter published by the Department of Justice and/or the
Rights of Victims and Witnesses of Crime Leaflet published by the Police
which explains the rights of victim in relation to police investigation.
If the victims have to give
evidence in court proceedings, they will be provided with a
Witness in Court leaflet.
For victims who are children
or mentally incapacitated persons, application will be made to court
so that they can give evidence via live television link, and support
persons will be arranged.
Police will also introduce
to the victims the
Criminal & Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme.
HKPF Website : http://www.info.gov.hk/police