XN000022-1995-05-10 — Page 49

· 26 ·

-

Counselling services for battering women inadequate

Following is a question by the Hon Fred Li Wah-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

As there are only two Social Work Assistants in Harmony House, a refuge providing shelter for battered women and their children, not only is the counselling service provided for the battered women inadequate, but also they cannot provide similar service for the children living there. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council::

Reply:

(a)

whether it will increase the establishment of social work staff for providing counselling service in Harmony House; if not, why not; and

what short- and long-term plans it has to provide counselling service for the children living in Harmony House?

(b)

Harmony House is a refuge operated by a non-governmental organisation with Government subvention. It provides temporary accommodation for up to 40 battered women and their children for short periods ranging from a few days to up to three months. The refuge is staffed by two Assistant Social Work Officers, one Social Work Assistant, five Welfare Workers and four Workmen.

Battered women and their children admitted into the refuge are provided with services not only by the staff of Harmony House itself but also by caseworkers of family services centres who work closely together to cater for all the needs of clients staying in the refuge. Services rendered include counselling, psychological assessment/ treatment, child care, financial and housing assistance. This is considered to be an effective approach as a variety of services can be mobilised in good time from the family services centres to meet the clients' specific needs and, in particular, the needs of children accompanying their mothers in the refuge.

It is therefore not intended to increase the subvention to Harmony House to provide more social work staff for counselling services. Battered women and their children staying in the refuge will continue to be provided with adequate services including counselling services through the co-ordinated action of both the staff of Harmony House and caseworkers from family services centres.

End/Wednesday, May 10, 1995