XN000022-1986-07-23 — Page 21

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1986

+AN EMERGENCY LEGAL AID CERTIFICATE CAN BE GRANTED THE SAME DAY AND CERTAINLY WITHIN 24 HOURS, HE SAID.

REFERRING TO COUNSELLING, MR THOMAS SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE VALUE OF THIS IN APPROPRIATE CASES. +BUT, WHERE THERE IS BITTER CONFLICT BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE LEADING TO VIOLENCE, COUNSELLING IS UNLIKELY TO BE HELPFUL BEFORE THERE HAS BEEN SOME COOLING-OFF PERIOD, HE SAID.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL PASSED

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THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL 1986, WHICH MAKES IT EASIER FOR BATTERED SPOUSES TO OBTAIN PROTECTION THROUGH THE COURTS, WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IT OFFERS IMMEDIATE REMEDY TO A WIFE OR HUSBAND WHO NEEDS IMMEDIATE BUT TEMPORARY RELIEF FROM THE VIOLENT ACT OF THE OTHER BY EXCLUDING THE CULPRIT FROM THE MATRIMONIAL HOME FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS.

THE COUPLE CAN THEN SORT OUT THEIR MATRIMONIAL DISPUTES RATIONALLY OR ONE OF THEM COULD BEGIN MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS SO THAT THE FULL REMEDIES UNDER THE MATRIMONIAL COURSES ORDINANCE BECOME AVAILABLE TO THE VICTIM.

FIVE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS SPOKE DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, EMPHASISING THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOW-UP COUNSELLING IN SUCH CASES AND THE NEED FOR SIMILAR PROTECTIVE MEASURES AGAINST ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY.

DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP. CONVENER OF THE AD HOC GROUP THAT STUDIED THE BILL, SAID THE GROUP HAD DECIDED TO ACCEPT THE MEASURE AFTER A SERIES OF CLARIFICATIONS HAD BEEN MADE.

THESE INCLUDED:

* THAT PROTECTION TO SPOUSES WOULD INCLUDE 'COHABITEES' AND THE COURTS SHOULD DECIDE WHETHER THE RELATIONSHIP WAS PERMANENT OR NOT:

*THAT A SPOUSE SUBJECT TO AN EXCLUSION ORDER AND REFUSING

TO PAY RENT MAY BE HELD IN CONTEMPT OF COURT;

* THAT AN INJUNCTION COULD BE OBTAINED FROM A HIGH COURT JUDGE IN CASES OF URGENCY OR FROM THE DISTRICT COURT. EVEN ON A SUNDAY, AND THAT LEGAL AID COULD BE OBTAINED WITHIN 24 HOURS AND

/* THAT THE