NCJ Number
111900
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (1988) Pages: 283-287
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes standards for child care and discipline in Hong Kong to determine the prevalence of child abuse. A 1979 territory-wide survey, which uses retrospective data from 22 agencies, was reviewed. Physical abuse was rather broadly defined as 'unreasonable bodily harm.' Reporting agencies were asked to provide information for all children aged 14 or less, who were under active management during the period September 1978 through February 1979. Of 201 cases of physical abuse identified, 137 or 68.2 percent, were older than 6 years. Many children had received multiple injuries, 66.2 percent had been beaten with fists or hands, and 42.3 percent had been caned or flogged. Caning, the third most common cause of injury, occurred in 5.9 percent. Analysis of cases seen at Queen Mary Hospital showed a similar pattern. This hospital, which serves as a secondary and tertiary pediatric referral center for Hong Kong and the outlying islands, has approximately 5,000 pediatric admissions yearly. A retrospective review of the records of 92 children, less than age 13 and admitted since 1981 with nonaccidental injury, showed caning was the most common cause of injury, occurring 40.2 percent. In 80 percent of the cases, caning was said to have been used as a form of discipline. A self-completed questionnaire was designed to establish the respondents' experience of child care and discipline, both within and outside their own households. The questionnaire was given to 100 unmarried university students, aged 21 to 33. Of these, 19 percent were female, 81 percent male. Physical punishment was used in 95 percent of the respondents' homes, and in 46 percent, the most severe form of punishment was beating. Tabular data and 9 references.