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The number of deception cases has been on the rise in recent years. Apart from losing money, some victims are also traumatised or even have suicidal tendency. In order to render comprehensive assistance to the victims, Regional Crime Prevention Office of New Territories South (RCPO NTS) launched Project Deception Victim Counselling to assist deception victims in June. Guidelines on Deception Victims have been designed to remind frontline investigating officers that while taking statements from deception victims, they should enhance their professional sensitivity, identify and assess victims with emotional problems, and provide psychological support service helpline cards if necessary, for making appropriate referrals so that relevant organisations can offer professional counselling and supports to the victims. Currently, participating organisations include Caritas Family Crisis Line and Education, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong.
RCPO NTS has organised a series of workshops for the project. The first two were held online on June 22 and July 7 respectively. Representatives of the above three organisations were invited to explain to the officers from different districts of NTS how to identify and assess victims with negative emotion and suicidal tendency, and the points to note while communicating with victims. By sharing real cases, the speakers pointed out the intense pressure faced by deception victims and their families. Frontline officers were also advised to understand more about the situations and emotions of the victims for appropriate referrals so that the victims could receive counselling timely.
