XN000022-1996-11-20 — Page 26

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12 -

Reply:

(c)

(d)

(a)

it will consider increasing the penalties on spouse battering offences so as to enhance the deterrent effect; and

it will, in the longer term, consider the inclusion of the concept of sex equality in the textbooks of primary and secondary schools, so as to foster a harmonious relationship between the sexes in the community, thereby preventing spouse-battering cases occurring?

The Working Group on Battered Spouses convened by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) in April 1995 comprises representatives from seven Government departments Health, Education, Housing, Information Services, Legal Aid, Legal and the Police. Representatives from the Hospital Authority, the Hong Kong Council of Social Services and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) running two of the refuges

Harmony House and Serene Court are also members. representative from the Health and Welfare Branch is in regular attendance.

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A

The Working Group assumes essentially a steering and co-ordinating role and does not therefore require specific funding for the activities concerned.

Public education work aimed at reducing the incidence of spouse battering is a focal point of the Working Group. Such public education work had in fact started well before April 1995. In particular, an extensive publicity campaign was launched in 1994 to mark the International Year of the Family which emphasised the importance of harmonious matrimonial relationships.

The Working Group has further developed this preventive education approach by adopting a theme of "marriage enrichment" for all its family life education programmes between 1995 and 1997. $124 million had been allocated for family life education programmes during 1994/95 and 1996/97, the bulk of which will be used by Government and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to conduct programmes to promote the awareness of the problem, encourage victims to seek assistance and publicize services available for them.