Children's Evidence: Mandating Change in the Legal System of Hong Kong (From International Perspectives on Child Abuse and Children's Testimony: Psychological Research and Law, P 182-200, 1996, Bette L. Bottoms, Gail S. Goodman, eds., See NCJ-163667)

• NCJ Number: 163671
• Author(s): T-P Ho
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This analysis of legal practices regarding juvenile witnesses in cases of child abuse in Hong Kong notes that systematic efforts to address child abuse began in the late 1970's.

Abstract

Official statistics indicate that the prevalence of child abuse is much lower than that reported in western countries. Although guidelines exist to handle suspected abuse case, low awareness and lack of experience in identification remain major obstacles to reporting. Only a fraction of alleged cases go to court. Successful convictions are often based on the perpetrators' confessions or on positive physical findings. The Current court process fails child victims and subjects them to avoidable trauma. An interdisciplinary committee has proposed restructuring the system related to child witnesses. Their recommendations include changing the competency and corroboration requirements of children's testimony, the introduction of a television link in court, the acceptance of videotaped testimony, and reduced waiting times to court hearings. It is not yet known whether these recommendations will be accepted, whether they will be effective, and whether concerned parties will take the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition. Notes and 41 references