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To enhance public awareness of the psychological damage caused to children exposed to domestic violence, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) launched a new set of television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) on preventing domestic violence today (December 2).
"In the first nine months of 2014, 3 012 newly reported spouse/cohabitant battering cases were recorded, with about half of the cases involving children below 12 years of age. Professional advice suggests that children who have been exposed to domestic violence may suffer from fear, worry, distress, guilt, anger, confusion and frustration. Some of them may also learn and develop maladaptive coping behaviour and/or exhibit psychological problems," a SWD spokesman said.
In view of the latest findings, the SWD has specially produced a new set of television and radio APIs to raise public awareness of the fact that domestic violence not only harms the victims but may also cause lasting psychological damage to the children, seriously affecting their personality development and growth. People facing domestic violence are also urged to seek help as early as possible.
The spokesman said that the Government has long been committed to combating domestic violence. Over the past few years, additional resources have been allocated to further enhance a wide range of preventive, supportive and specialised services for victims of domestic violence and their families. A total of 11 Family and Child Protective Services Units, which are specialised units manned by experienced social workers, have been set up across the territory, providing a co-ordinated package of one-stop services for victims, their families and the batterers in domestic violence cases.
The new API will be broadcast on local TV stations in Cantonese and English versions. It can also be viewed on the SWD's webpage (www.swd.gov.hk) and ISD's YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/isdgovhk). Radio APIs in different language versions (Cantonese, Putonghua and English) will also be broadcast from today.
To boost publicity, a poster echoing the theme will also be displayed in mass transit railway stations and public bus shelters throughout the territory.
For more information on the crisis intervention and specialised services provided by the SWD, people may call the SWD hotline 2343 2255 or visit the SWD Homepage (www.swd.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:01
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