Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance (Cap 650): Commentary and Annotations

The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance (Cap. 650) came into effect on 20 January 2026. It requires 25 categories of specified professionals from the social welfare, education, and healthcare sectors to report suspected cases of serious child abuse. Failure to comply may result in criminal prosecution. The commencement of this Ordinance marks an important milestone in Hong Kong’s child protection legal framework.

Pending further development of this area of law through judicial decisions and evolving professional practices, this Annotated Legislation seeks to assist readers in gaining a better understanding of the Ordinance’s provisions and their practical

table of content

• Acknowledgement … v
• About the … vii
• Preface … ix
• Table of Cases … xiii
• Table of Legislation … xv
• Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance (Cap.650) … 1
  • Part 1 Preliminary
    • 1. Short title and commencement… 1
    • 2. Interpretation… 2
    • 3. Application to public officers… 3
  • Part 2 Mandatory Reporting
    • 4. When must reports be made… 4
    • 5. Defences for offence under section 4 … 10
    • 6. Requirements for reports … 12
    • 7. Director may issue guidelines… 13
    • 8. Effect of guidelines… 15
  • Part 3 Protection for Specified Professionals
    • Division 1 – Pre-reporting Protection
      • 9. Prohibition on inhibiting or obstructing making of reports… 16
    • Division 2 – Post-reporting Protection
      • 10. Application of this Division … 17
      • 11. Prohibition on disclosing identity of specified professionals who made reports… 17
      • 12. No liability incurred by making reports…