補習-Parents to see sex offenders list

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Parents may get the chance to check records for sex offenders when seeking tutors for their kids.
The chances of that happening will be up for discussion once a voluntary registry system is running next month.

Undersecretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said yesterday he is well aware that parents want access to the register before hiring tutors, though as it stands now it's only for institutions.

"Once it is running smoothly we will conduct a review to decide if the scheme should be open to other users, including parents," he said. The review will be conducted about six months from now.

The first phase of the Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme will only cover work relating to children and mentally disabled people and run a rule over teachers, caretakers and school drivers.

The scheme covers offenses that include indecent assault, rape and intercourse with a girl under 16. But it excludes Peeping Toms and indecent exposure.

Under the system, employers can ask job seekers to undergo a sexual conviction record check.

Prospective employees will submit applications and provide fingerprints for verification to police headquarters in Wan Chai in person and pay HK$115 for the procedure. Applicants will then be given a 14-digit code.

Prospective employers can log into the phone-based system and use the code to check someone for sex-crime convictions. But the system will not free up details of cases.

Lai said the government has no intention to force employees to provide records through legislation.

Also, he said, there is no worry that data will be stolen as high-security measures are being applied.

In addition to the code, which is assigned randomly, employers will need the first four digits of a job hopeful's identity card to access information.

The chairman of the End Child Sexual Abuse Foundation, William Po Kam-man, welcomed the scheme but said legislation is the ultimate solution.

"Some employers may find the procedure troublesome and ignore it," he said. "Ultimately, we need a law to make sure everybody complies."

Among those who provided suggestions for the scheme is Cheung Tat-ming, a member of the Law Reform Committee of Hong Kong and an assistant professor of law at the University of Hong Kong.

Peeping Tom and indecent exposure cases were left out, he said, as they come under disorderly conduct and loitering, and not all such offenses involve sex.

Among parents hoping to be in the full picture is Sukina Ip Wing-yee, who has a four-year-old son.

She urged the government to extend the system to parents and for laws to force prospective employees to provide records.

"I fear some children may be at risk if parents hire a private tutor," she said.

Jessica Ho Oi-chu, director of Against Child Abuse, said the scheme is a good start, but she too wants mandatory measures.