The Hong Chi Association announced today(23rd October 2024) the establishment of an Independent Review Committee (IRC) to look into a serious misconduct case involving an employee happened at one of its service units. The committee will review the effectiveness of current protective measures available to service users and make recommendations on any enhancement measures to prevent any behavior violating the laws and regulations in future.
The IRC will be chaired by Mr. Stephen Hung, former President of the Law Society of Hong Kong, and members include Dr. Albert Chau, Vice President (Teaching and Learning) of the Hong Kong Baptist University and Mrs. Priscilla Lui Tsang Sun-kai, former Director of Against Child Abuse.
In August 2024, upon receipt of an inquiry from a parent concerning her child's injury, the case was reported to the supervisor and an immediate investigation including but not limited to reviewing CCTV footage taken at the unit. It was found that two service recipients were suspected to have been harmed involving a staff member working in that unit. Due to the nature and seriousness of the incident, we reported the case to the police and the Social Welfare Department immediately. As the employee was in serious breach of the Association's code of conduct, we terminated his employment. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged by the police with criminal offense. The case is now in the process of police’s investigation and criminal proceedings, and we cannot provide further details. The Association will fully cooperate with the police to facilitate their investigation.
The Association has always put the interests and welfare of its service recipients in the forefront. We take zero-tolerance towards any behavior that might harm our service recipients and do not condone any misbehavior. Immediately after reporting of the incident, we dispatched a team of social workers and clinical psychologists to provide counseling and support to the two affected service recipients and their respective families. We have also kept other parents in the relevant unit informed of the incident.
Meanwhile, the Association has established an Investigation Supervisory Committee (ISC) to supervise the investigation and review follow-up actions taken by the management. Besides members of the Council, we also invited Mrs. Priscilla Lui, former Director of Against Child Abuse to serve as Independent Advisor to assist ISC. Mrs. Lui has in the last two months conducted a review of the Association’s internal system, made recommendations on enhancement measures, and submitted a report to the ISC this month. The management has also carried out several new enhancement measures at the service unit, such as reallocation of staff, tightening surveillance, and streamlining the duty rosters etc. to prevent re-occurrence of similar incidents. Building on all these earlier work, the newly appointed IRC will build on this foundation and carry out its work independently and rigorously.
We are deeply saddened by this incident and have extended deepest sympathies to the service users and families affected. We wish to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the spirit of "Children come first, Supporting People with Intellectual Disabilities" and will do utmost to protect our service users in all times.
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Hong Chi Association (formerly the Hong Kong Association for the Mentally Handicapped), founded in 1965, has grown to become one of the most well-established non-profit organizations dedicated solely to serving over 9,200 people of all ages and all grades of intellectual disabilities and their families in Hong Kong. It operates 104 service units to provide comprehensive services.
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Media enquiry:
Ms. Sunny Tong, Communications Office, Hong Chi Association
Tel: 2661 0709｜Fax: 2866 0471 ｜Email: cfr@hongchi.org.hk ｜Website: www.hongchi.org.hk
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