optimusstudy.org

Agency Survey

Target group
All child protective services and agencies in Hong Kong and selected provinces in Mainland China will be recruited for the study. There are four main types of agencies:

• Criminal justice system, including courts, Department of Justice, and police departments.
• Pediatric Departments in hospitals and child hospitals
• Child welfare agencies
• Child protection agencies and groups

Objectives
The purposes of the survey are to estimate the current incidence, severity and demographic distribution of CSA in Hong Kong and the selected provinces in Mainland China; and to gather information on the number of ongoing and new cases handled by these agencies over a one-year reference period, the nature of CSA reported, profiles of victims and perpetrators, and services provided during this time frame.

Conducting the study
Through the contacts with the target agencies, our research staff will work out any necessary authorization and agreement and develop specific arrangements for data collection. To guide the data collection plans, and to enhance the interpretation of the study data, they will ask the agencies about their caseloads, agency structure, policies, and screening standards. Relevant agency documents will be collected.