XN000022-1993-11-10 — Page 11

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993

REFERRAL SYSTEM IN PLACE TO HELP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

A WELL-ESTABLISHED SYSTEM OF CO-OPERATION AND REFERRALS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND HOSPITALS FOR HANDLING CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOW IN PLACE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID WHEN A CASE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE, THEY WOULD LIAISE WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING FOR THE VICTIM.

ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE IMMEDIATELY FOR HIM OR HER TO BE SENT TO A HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT, SHE SAID.

UPON REFERRAL, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE

COUNSELLING AND ASSISTANCE.

"FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, CHILD CARE SERVICE, TEMPORARY REFUGE OR ACCOMMODATION, REFERRALS FOR LEGAL AID AND COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING ARE PROVIDED TO THE VICTIMS,'

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WHERE NECESSARY, MRS WONG CONTINUED, COURT PROCEEDINGS WOULD BE INITIATED FOR THE CARE OF THE ABUSED CHILD.

SIMILARLY, THE HOSPITALS AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL LIAISE WITH THE POLICE AND EACH OTHER IF THEY COME ACROSS CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

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UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS BEST HANDLED BY BANKS

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO REQUIRE BANKS TO HAND OVER UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS FOR DISPOSAL, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

"WE

ARE NOT AWARE THAT THE PRESENT SITUATION CAUSES ANY MAJOR PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES AND WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MATTER BEST HANDLED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NORMAL BANKER-CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP, SAID.

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REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CARTLAND SAID INDIVIDUAL BANKS HAD THEIR INTERNAL GUIDELINES AND POLICIES FOR CLASSIFYING DORMANT ACCOUNTS AND TREATING UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS.

THE

ACCORDING TO A SURVEY OF THE LEADING LOCAL BANKS, MANY OF THE INSTITUTIONS DO CLASSIFY SOME OF THEIR DEPOSITS AS UNCLAIMED IF ACCOUNTS CONCERNED HAVE BEEN INACTIVE FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD.

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