Parental access to ‘Sexual Conviction Record Check’ sex offender registry in Hong Kong

Yu Ju Huang, Gabriela Mohr, Monit Cheung, Patrick Leung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Sex offender registry systems aim to prevent child sexual abuse (CSA) by restricting the interaction between convicted offenders and children. Although Hong Kong enacted the Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC) policy in 2011, debates regarding legal access to the sex offender registry remain unresolved. Objective: This study examines parental beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of the SCRC policy. It explores if parents' motivation to learn more about SCRC can mediate the relationships between parental support for the SCRC and policy advocacy actions. Method: In Hong Kong, a social service agency employed a digital randomization method to invite 507 consented parents of elementary schoolers to participate in a phone survey. Human Subjects Protection Board approved using the survey data to analyze the variables related to SCRC and policy advocacy. Results: The results demonstrate that parents' beliefs in CSA prevention, attitudes toward home-based sex education, and SCRC knowledge are associated with parental advocacy for SCRC access. Furthermore, parental motivation mediates the relationships between advocacy efforts and (1) beliefs in CSA prevention, (2) home-based sex education, and (3) support of SCRC. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of establishing a community-professional-government partnership platform to mobilize parents and promote public awareness regarding SCRC access regulations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number107310
JournalChildren and Youth Services Review
Volume156
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Child sexual abuse prevention
  • Parents' voice
  • Policy advocacy
  • Sex offender registry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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