RMPU KW tells youth 'love your family'
The Regional Missing Person Unit Kowloon West (RMPU KW) is running a project called "Home Lovers" with the Salvation Army Yau Ma Tei Integrated Service for Young People in a bid to prevent young persons from running away from home. Targeting junior secondary students, the project reminds them of the consequences a runaway may encounter, such as being lured into triad societies, drug trafficking, premarital pregnancy and rape.
The project is underway at three levels. When a missing juvenile is located, the investigating officer of RMPU KW will, according to the conditions of individual cases, make appropriate referrals to the Salvation Army for follow-up action. Then social workers will pay home visits and provide counselling and other necessary services.
Analysis of cases has identified lack of communication and mutual understanding between runaway youngsters and their parents or family members as a significant causation factor. Early intervention by a third party may improve the situation and discourage them from running away from home again.
At the second level, RMPU KW and the Salvation Army, since June this year, have been conducting seminars at schools in Kowloon West with an interactive approach that has aroused the enthusiasm of students and enabled them to have a good grasp of the messages of the project. For better results, students are advised to pass on the messages to their schoolmates and friends.
The Acting Principal of the Lai Chack Middle School, Mr Lui Hung-sing, has praised the project for bringing positive messages to students and for preventing the runaways from going astray. As a gesture of his thanks, he presented a complimentary banner to RMPU KW.
On top of the family and school levels, RMPU KW collaborates with social workers of the Salvation Army and officers of the Regional Anti-triad Unit Kowloon West to carry out outreaching programmes in Kowloon West. During the summer holiday in August, anti-crime operations were conducted at Internet cafe in Kowloon City and Hung Hom, where some missing youngsters were found hanging around at midnight. Social workers immediately gave counselling to them on the spot. During the operations, officers also located a missing 16-year-old person.
The "Home Lovers" project will continue at secondary schools in Kowloon West for Form 1 to 3 students. Police and social workers will work together at the family, school and district levels to drive home the consequences of running away from home.
The "Home Lovers" project is well received by students