CHAPTER 57

Original: 2007-11-02

Rewritten: 2026-04-14

After Lun last hit the driver on a minibus, he happened to come down with a cold and cough, making it inconvenient for him to go out. In effect, he was confined to the residence, which counted as a kind of punishment.

In that previous incident, Lun struck a driver without provocation while the minibus was in motion. For safety reasons, the residence did not dare let him go out with other residents on the minibus for the time being, effectively restricting him to the walking area within the residence for more than two weeks.

By coincidence, starting from the weekend of the incident, Lun developed a cold and cough, leaving him without the energy or interest to go out. Apart from weekends when we took him home to stay overnight, he remained obediently in the residence, spending most of his time resting in his room. It seemed as though he understood he had done something wrong and needed to accept some form of punishment.

Speaking of punishment, in fact the residence imposed none at all—in truth, they hardly even dared to consider it. This caution stems from historical issues in special services in British Columbia.

More than a decade or two ago, a major scandal led British Columbia to abandon the large institutional residence model. These were broken up into smaller group homes, with efforts to create a more family-like atmosphere and stronger government oversight.

The reason was that the large institutional model had become dehumanizing—a “total institution.” Residents were treated as vulnerable patients, the environment was cold, and insufficient government oversight led to abuses of power, mistreatment, and unlawful confinement. When these cases were exposed, the public was outraged.

As a result, the system was overhauled. Service models were significantly changed, quality and supervision improved, and strict limits were placed on staff authority. Staff could no longer freely use restrictive, restraining, or confining methods to control residents.

Staff are trained that when escorting a resident who has caused trouble away from the scene, they may only support the person by the elbows on either side, not grab them, unless authorized by senior or professional personnel. They are not allowed to order residents back to their rooms as punishment.

They cannot use force, nor can they speak harshly. Their language must not be threatening; they may only explain what should not be done. Staff are not allowed to scold residents. If the agency violates these rules, the license can be suspended.

Thus, after Lun hit someone, all the staff could do was simply tell him, “You must not hit people,” and escort him to another corner to calm down.

Within an hour or two, it was time for a meal or snack, and life went on as usual. After doing something wrong, there was no immediate punishment—he still had food. This could embolden him. However, residents who repeatedly fail to follow rules and continue harming others may eventually be transferred to facilities with higher staffing levels and stricter security.

Fortunately, Lun still fears me, his father. Each time something happens, I visit as soon as possible, put on a stern face, glare at him sharply, and scold him in a raised voice—not necessarily to punish him, but to make sure he knows I will hold him accountable.

The residence’s policy allows parents to discipline their children as long as nothing illegal is done.

During those two weeks, I met with residence staff and specialists to discuss countermeasures. The social worker immediately prioritized this case, arranging for a behavioral therapist to train staff on handling sudden incidents like hitting.

After learning of the situation, the family doctor also increased his medication dosage to stabilize his emotions. The residence adjusted Lun’s seating on the minibus, arranged for staff to supervise him closely, and even modified the seatbelt with a mechanism to prevent him from leaving his seat to strike others.

With these measures in place, the group home staff felt reassured, and Lun was able to ride the minibus again and participate in outdoor activities, stretching his body and getting some exercise.