SERVICES PROVIDED
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1993
NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM MEMBERS OF SERVICES AVAILABLE ΤΟ VICTIMS OF SPOUSE ABUSE. AS REGARDS MEDICAL SERVICES, PROMPT MEDICAL TREATMENT AT ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS IS GIVEN TO VICTIMS OF ABUSE. WITH THE CONSENT OF THE PATIENTS CONCERNED, THEIR CASES ARE REFERRED TO THE MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER FOR INVESTIGATION, COUNSELLING AND OTHER APPROPRIATE ACTION. THE PATIENTS ARE ALSO ADVISED TO FILE A REPORT WITH THE POLICE. OTHER NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORTING SERVICES FOR THESE VICTIMS.
PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW AS WAS MENTIONED HERE IS GIVEN UNDER THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORDINANCE (CAP 189). THE ORDINANCE LAYS DOWN PROCEDURES FOR THE GRANTING OF INJUNCTION AND ARREST OF PERSONS IN BREACH OF THE INJUNCTION ORDER. WHERE CASES ARE REPORTED TO THE POLICE, THEY ARE INVESTIGATED IN THE SAME WAY AS IN ANY OTHER REPORTED CRIME. IT IS A COMMON FALLACY TO ASSUME THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS TREATED LIGHTLY BY THE POLICE AS A FAMILY DISPUTE OR PRIVATE AFFAIR. IT IS NOT SO. SINCE STUDYING THE PROBLEM VIA A WORKING GROUP SET UP BY THE POLICE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE, THE POLICE HAVE INSTITUTED MEASURES TO GIVE ADVICE AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE ROLE AND POWER OF THE POLICE, 'AVENUES OF LEGAL REDRESS AVAILABLE AND DETAILS OF SERVICES PROVIDED. HOWEVER, THE ABILITY TO PROSECUTE THE ABUSER IS OFTEN HINDERED BY THE RELUCTANCE OF THE VICTIM TO MAKE STATEMENT INCRIMINATING THE SPOUSE.
A
COUNSELLING
COUNSELLING IS PROVIDED TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THEY CAN APPROACH FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OR NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR HELP. THE FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES OFFER COUNSELLING, ASSISTANCE IN ARRANGING TEMPORARY SHELTER + CHILD CARE SERVICE AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. IF NECESSARY, A BATTERED WIFE IS REFERRED TO THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT FOR HELP. A VICTIM CAN THEN SEEK AN INJUNCTION FROM THE COURTS AGAINST THE SPOUSE UNDER THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORDINANCE. THE FAMILY SECTION OF LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT IS INTRODUCING A MORNING CLINIC WHERE ANY CLIENT MAY ATTEND WITHOUT APPOINTMENT TO DEAL WITH URGENT CONCERNS. IT ALSO HAS A HOTLINE TELEPHONE REFERRAL TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND MAKES DIRECT REFERRALS TO THE POLICE. IN URGENT CASES, AN INJUNCTION CAN BE OBTAINED WITHIN HOURS. THE EXCELLENT LIAISON AND CO-OPERATION WHICH EXIST BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS WILL BE FURTHER FORMALISED THROUGH THE FORMATION OF A FAMILY CONCERN CLINIC IN THE FAMILY SECTION OF THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL
/TEMPORARY SHELTERS