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Following is a question by the Hon Cyd Ho Sau-lan and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh, in the Legislative Council today (March 6):
Question:
It has been reported that in the wake of recent family tragedies, the Secretary for Security indicated after the meeting of the Fight Crime Committee on January 26, 2002 that the Health and Welfare Bureau would set up a working group to lead a number of government departments, social service agencies and non-governmental organisations to formulate a multi-pronged policy, with a view to helping families in distress to resolve their problems. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the composition, terms of reference, financial resources, mode of operation and future work plan of the working group, as well as when it is expected to formally operate;
(b) how the working group will work in collaboration with the Working Group on Combating Violence and the Committee on Child Abuse under the Social Welfare Department to achieve synergy; of the avenues available to ensure that the working group can take on board and put into effect the views of other concerned groups;
(c) whether the working group will conduct a policy research to identify causes of family tragedies and work out effective remedies; if so, of the details and specific timetable of such a research; if not, the reasons for that; and
(d) whether it has considered expanding the terms of reference of the Working Group on Combating Violence and the Committee on Child Abuse with a view to replacing the above working group, so as to immediately commence the research on preventing family tragedies, formulate specific measures in this regard as well as avoid fragmentation of responsibilities and duplication of resources?
Reply:
Madam President,
By way of background to the specific questions raised, I should like to re-state that the Government's overall policy is to prevent and reduce the incidence of family violence and, if it arises, to deal with both the immediate and longer-term consequences using a multi-disciplinary approach.
In the light of recent trends, the Government has increased its efforts by providing more responsive, integrated and targeted assistance to those in need through a three-pronged approach. Existing services have been refocused and re-engineered whilst new initiatives have been rolled out to fill service gaps identified. The three-pronged approach involves the following : -
* at the primary level, strengthening preventive work through large-scale public education, more targeted family education and early identification of families at risk through outreach efforts;
* at the secondary level, transforming existing Family Service Centres into Integrated Family Service Centres providing a full continuum of resource, support and counselling services; and
* at the tertiary level, establishing specialised service units to provide immediate crisis intervention.
As regards the specific questions raised -
(a) Following the recent Fight Crime Committee meeting, it was decided that the Secretary for Health and Welfare would chair a task group to examine the issue of family violence. The focus of the work of the task force will be at a strategic level and involve examining if and how existing inter-departmental and inter-sectoral efforts to combat family violence can be further coordinated and enhanced. The preparatory studies for the work of the task force are underway and it is envisaged that the task force will meet shortly.
(b) Whilst the focus of the work of the task force will be at a strategic level, it will need to take account of the work already undertaken at the departmental level including the Working Group on Combating Violence and the Committee on Child Abuse under the Social Welfare Department (SWD). The views of concerned groups are already reflected in these SWD committees and as such, will be reflected to the task force.
(c) Depending on the discussions in the task force, there may be a need for subsequent studies on the issue of family violence and any other relevant matters as appropriate. If such a need is established, we will consider the appropriate structure for that work to be undertaken.
(d) A multi-disciplinary strategy and a continuum of integrated services are already in place to address the issue of family violence. In addition to keeping a close watch on developments, the Government regularly examines its strategy and practical initiatives to look into possible areas of improvement. For example, the Working Group on Battered Spouses and the Working Group on Sexual Violence were amalgamated in October 2001 to form the Working Group on Combating Violence. This has provided an effective mechanism to advise the Government on matters relating to family violence and has enhanced co-ordination amongst the relevant parties.
End/Wednesday, March 6, 2002
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