NGO Against Child Abuse on Wednesday called for legislative reform and stepped-up action to tackle child abuse, describing the rising trend in cases in recent years as alarming.

According to official figures, the number of suspected child abuse cases rose from 940 in 2020 to 1,354 in 2025.

The organisation said it is particularly concerning that sexual abuse cases reached parity with cases involving physical abuse for the first time last year, with both surging to 501.

The group attributed the rise in cases to several factors, including the lingering impact of Covid, increased online activity, heightened economic pressure, landmark court decisions, and growing public awareness.

Professor Patrick Ip, an executive member of Against Child Abuse, noted that studies show children who experienced abuse face an increased risk of self-harm and suicidal thoughts, alongside a greater likelihood of developing conditions such as ADHD and obesity.

He stressed that early intervention is essential and called on institutions to work together.

"We would suggest Hong Kong needs a systematic monitoring, data-driven approach, using a collaborative platform working together with our NGOs, with our universities in order to generate good evidence and then a data-driven approach to see how we can modify the family functioning, strengthening the parenting capacity of the parents," he said.

"Also through positive parenting intervention to improve the mental well-being of parents, as well as to elevate the quality of parent-child interactive activities, not just to prevent child maltreatment but also to enhance better mental well-being and [reduce] the risk of major problems like ADHD, hyperactivity in the longer run."

The organisation said there was a noticeable increase in the public seeking information and advice after the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance came into effect.

The legislation, which requires 25 types of specified professionals to report suspected abuse to authorities, took effect in January. The government said it has received 176 reports in the first five months.

Professor Patrick Cheung, chairperson of Against Child Abuse, said educational outreach to professionals and the wider community has been effective.

He also voiced support for government proposals to criminalise the persistent sexual abuse of a child and cyberflashing as part of broader sexual offence reforms.

"There is a clear definition of the age of consent and also specific conditions where the consent does not apply; it is clearly spelled out. And also, for example, the legislation for offences like sexual grooming [is] specifically spelled out," he added.

The government concluded a one-month public consultation on overhauling sexual offence laws last month, and an amendment bill is set to be tabled to Legco by the end of the year.



Edited by Raymond Yeung