Since the implementation of the Extended Community Support Service Scheme (CSSS) on April 1, 2019, around 750 arrested youths aged under 18 have been referred to five non-governmental organisations funded by the Social Welfare Department to receive support services. What services have these youths received? What changes have they experienced? The Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit shares the life stories of these youths on OffBeat.

Going astray under peer influence

At the age of twelve, Wong Chai joined the triad due to peer influence and curiosity. He gave up on his studies and broke the relationship with his family. At first, he just wandered on the streets with the gangs, but later he participated in unlawful acts. In February 2020, Wong Chai was arrested in a fighting incident which was handled by Detective Police Constable Ah Tsui of District Anti-Triad Squad, Sau Mau Ping District. During the enquiry, Ah Tsui found that Wong Chai was very young and did not have any criminal record. He believed that the support service for arrested youths could help Wong Chai and referred him to the service.

Care of people around

Wong Chai’s case was followed up by a social worker under the Community Support Service Scheme of Kowloon East Region. After interviewing Wong Chai and his family, the social worker found out that Wong Chai’s school and family lacked communication with him, which made him lose his sense of recognition and direction in life. As Wong Chai’s “gang brothers” had disappeared soon after the arrest, he was very worried about being left alone to face the consequences of his illegal acts.

The social worker took the initiative to contact Wong Chai’s teachers and parents. In a joint meeting, Wong Chai got to express his feelings and he felt cared for and respected. His teachers and parents understood his needs and agreed to strengthen their communication with him. Meanwhile, the social worker also reviewed Wong Chai’s past experience with him, including the incidents leading to his arrest. The reflection has taught Wong Chai to handle problems in a more mature manner and enhanced his law-abiding awareness.

Recognising direction in life

It has been five months since Wong Chai accepted the referral. Now he refuses to have association with the triad gang and is building a new social circle. Meanwhile, Wong Chai has applied for vocational training courses to pursue his dream of becoming a tattoo artist. Looking back on this case, Wong Chai’s impression of the Police has changed as he realised that the Police are very different from those portrayed in some of the media reports. He had never expected frontline police officers to be so helpful and patient in explaining the arrest procedures to him. With the referral by the Police, Wong Chai got in touch with social workers who helped him come out of the dark and shape his own destiny.