- 2
(** this figure includes not only family disputes but also cases arising as a result of other domestic issues
involving more than one family i.e. nuisances, use of commual toilets etc.)
2.
The format in which statistics are at present
kept in the coroner's court does not, I am afraid, enable
us to identify the number of suicides which may have resulted
from domestic disputes.
3.
Crimes occurring in the family are attributable
to a wide variety of reasons, including personality problems,
marital discord, financial worries, drug addiction, mental
disturbance and alcoholism. The family services centres of
the Social Welfare Department and voluntary agencies provide
a range of services to assist families in difficulties. On
the preventive side, they provide counselling and organise
family life education programmes. Cash assistance in the
form of public assistance and special needs allowances is
provided as well as a range of direct services to help such
families to cope with their problems. Where necessary,
temporary accommodation can be arranged for women and children
affected by violence in the family; the Hong Kong Council of
Women operates a shelter for this purpose and a further centre
to be operated by the Social Welfare Department should be in
operation during the next financial year.