Welfare chief's latest on alleged abuse case of Tuen Mun girl

After the video showing a girl carrying two large bags of beer in Tuen Mun came to light, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun says after assessment, the Social Welfare Department determined that the three children from the family were not suitable to return home immediately, and had arranged temporary accommodation for them.

The Social Welfare Department recently arranged for the family's three children to undergo a health assessment at the hospital. It is understood that the girl involved had a bruise on the right thigh, but it was not a sign of abuse, and the other two children were unharmed.

The labour chief says until a long-term plan is established, the relevant care facilities will temporarily take care of the three siblings, believing this approach is the safest.

Sun adds that the SWD will arrange for a multi-disciplinary case meeting to be held as early as a week or so, with social workers, teachers and medical staff to make a long-term decision for the three siblings. If deemed appropriate, they may apply to the court for care or protection orders.

As for concerns that the family involved receive social assistance for low income households but they also visited theme parks, travelled abroad and allegedly spent much on entertainment, Sun says the Social Welfare Department is reviewing the situation.