XN000022-1983-12-21 — Page 13

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1983

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AID FOR WOMEN AT RISK

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A RECEPTION CENTRE WHERE WOMEN AT RISK, INCLUDING BATTERED WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN, CAN OBTAIN SHELTER IS TO BE OPENED NEXT YEAR, SAID THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR BARNES WAS RESPONDING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW WHO WISHED TO KNOW WHETHER THERE WAS AN ESTIMATE AVAILABLE OF THE PERCENTAGE OF CASES OF BATTERED WIVES BEING REPORTED, SHE ALSO ASKED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING TO ASSIST VICTIMS AND TO REDUCE THE PROBLEM.

MR BARNES SAID THAT NUMBER OF UNREPORTED CASES IS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE AND IT IS THEREFORE DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE A PERCENTAGE FIGURE. IN THE 12 MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1983, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HANDLED 42 CASES AT ITS FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE.

THE ACTUAL INCIDENCE OF ABUSE IS PROBABLY HIGHER, HE SAID, DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AS +SAD, DEPLORABLE AND OFTEN DIFFICULT TO RESOLVE, AND, FOR THE ABUSED PERSON, SOMETHING WHICH CAN BE A PAINFUL, FRIGHTENING AND DEGRADING EXPERIENCE.+

+NEXT YEAR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO OPEN A RECEPTION CENTRE WHERE WOMEN AT RISK, INCLUDING BATTERED WOMEN, AND THEIR CHILDREN, CAN OBTAIN SHELTER UNTIL LONGER TERM ALTERNATIVES CAN BE ARRANGED, SAID MR BARNES.

+VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS ARE ALIVE BOTH TO THE PROBLEM OF SPOUSE ABUSE AND THE NEED FOR REFUGE FACILITIES, AND HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN BECOMING MORE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE PREPARED TO CONSIDER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY VOLUNTARY AGENCY WITH THE NECESSARY EXPERTISE WHICH MIGHT COME FORWARD WITH A PROPOSAL TO RUN A SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN. +

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