Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme expanded to cover volunteers
To further strengthen the protection of children and mentally incapacitated persons (MIPs), the Government expanded the Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC) Scheme to cover volunteers today (December 15). Meanwhile, three additional designated police stations were introduced to provide eligible applicants with a 24-hour fingerprint taking service.
A spokesperson for the Government said, "Volunteers include, but are not limited to, volunteer teachers and volunteer sports coaches. The SCRC Scheme remains voluntary in nature. The recruiting organisations may decide whether the SCRC is necessary after assessing the risks. Applications are to be submitted by the eligible applicants."
In addition to the existing SCRC Office at the Police Headquarters in Wan Chai and the six existing designated police stations (North Point, Yau Ma Tei, Ngau Tau Kok, Tuen Mun, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan), the Police designated three additional police stations to provide a 24-hour fingerprint-taking service, namely Tseung Kwan O, Sheung Shui and Lantau North (Tung Chung) to further facilitate the making of applications. Eligible applicants can submit applications through the online applications platform and make appointments for fingerprint taking.
The Government implemented the SCRC Scheme at the end of 2011 to enable employers to check whether persons undertaking child-related or MIPs-related work have any criminal conviction records against a specified list of sexual offences. When it was launched, the SCRC Scheme covered prospective employees, contract renewal staff and staff assigned by outsourced service providers to other organisations or enterprises, who apply for child-related or MIP-related work to organisations or enterprises.
In May 2022, the Law Reform Commission of Hong Kong (LRC) published a report on Sentencing and Related Matters in the Review of Sexual Offences, which recommended the expansion of the SCRC Scheme to all existing employees, self-employed persons and volunteers.
To enhance the protection to children and MIPs, and respond to the LRC's recommendations, the Government expanded the scope of the SCRC Scheme at the end of 2024 as phase 1 to cover prospective self-employed persons. A series of measures has been implemented at the same time to enhance the SCRC Scheme, including the launch of online applications, the introduction of a 24-hour fingerprint-taking service and the extension of the validity period to 36 months, bringing greater convenience to applicants.
"The Government will review the relevant experiences in expanding the scope of the SCRC Scheme to prospective self-employed persons and volunteers in the first two phases, and consider expanding the scope to cover all existing employees and self-employed persons at a suitable juncture, thus achieving the ultimate goal. Details will be available nearer the time," the spokesman said.
Source: AI-found images
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude
The National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) (NGCO) today (December 14) announced that the three competition events of the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG) in Hong Kong, namely boccia, wheelchair fencing and para table tennis (TT11), concluded on the last day of competition. Together with the NSOG table tennis competition which concluded on December 9, all competition events in the Hong Kong competition region have been completed smoothly.
The boccia event was held at Kai Tak Arena, with a total of 14 gold medals awarded. Around 100 athletes from 13 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao took part. Among them, Hong Kong sent 11 male athletes and eight female athletes, and won four gold, four silver and four bronze medals, totalling 12 medals.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy wheelchair fencing competition was held at Ma On Shan Sports Centre, with a sum of 24 gold medals presented. Over 80 athletes from 10 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao participated in the competition. Hong Kong fielded seven male athletes and six female athletes, claiming one silver and two bronze medals, amounting to three medals altogether.
As for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy para table tennis (TT11) competition held at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, a total of five gold medals were awarded. 36 athletes from 13 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao competed in the event, including seven male athletes and five female athletes from Hong Kong. The Hong Kong team achieved one silver and five bronze medals, adding up to six medals in total.
The Special Olympics table tennis competition was also held at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre earlier, with a total of 78 gold medals awarded. Over 150 athletes from 29 teams from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao joined the competition. Six male athletes and five female athletes from Hong Kong won nine gold, six silver and four bronze medals, totalling 19 medals.
Across various events of the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG this year, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region fielded over 280 athletes supported by about 140 accompanying team officials and medical personnel taking part in 14 competition events and four mass participation events of the NGD, as well as seven events of the NSOG, forming the largest delegation ever. The Hong Kong team won a total of 51 gold, 49 silver and 40 bronze medals, totalling 140 medals, achieving historic results.
A spokesperson for the NGCO said that the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG, co-hosted for the first time by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, brought together outstanding athletes from across the country. They demonstrated indomitable sportsmanship and remarkable athletic prowess in the competitions.While extending congratulations to all medallists, the spokesperson also expressed gratitude to various relevant government departments, sports organisations and related institutions for their full support and assistance in staging the events, and the public and volunteers for their enthusiastic support, which enabled the smooth running of all events in the Hong Kong competition region and the successful conclusion of the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG.
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
All 12th NGD and 9th NSOG competition events in Hong Kong conclude Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
