Transcript of remarks by SLW on child abuse

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, on child abuse today (September 5) after attending "The 17th Hong Kong Occupational Safety & Health Award" Forum and Award Presentation Ceremony:
 
Reporter: What are the determining factors? Given the several recent high-profile cases, what are the factors that your bureau is considering when it comes to calls to review the law with regard to child abuse?
 
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: It's too early to talk about what the factors are. There seems to be a need to look at, at least to explore, if there is any possibility or need to review the existing legislation, and whether they are adequate in terms of dealing with this kind of, you can say, crimes. Although we are not very sure (whether) increasing the sentence will have any additional deterrent effect or not, somehow by looking at what the judges have said and what the community has been responding, there is a need for us to explore if there is a need for such review.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)