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    Part one of the study on child abuse and spouse battering commissioned by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and funded by Lotteries Fund had been completed and the findings would provide reference for the government in further refining its policies and measures in handling the problems of child abuse and spouse battering, a government spokesman said today (June 21).  

    "The study comprises a territory-wide household survey, which is the first of its kind conducted in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.  "Apart from estimating the prevalence of child abuse and spouse battering in Hong Kong, the findings of the survey provide information on the demographic, social, psychological and family profile of perpetrators and victims.  Such information will provide reference for policy makers and service providers in developing evidence-based policies and measures in tackling the problem."

    Conducted between December, 2003, and August, 2004, the household survey involved face-to-face interviews and 5,049 adult respondents and 2,062 child respondents were interviewed.  It was estimated that about 7% of adult respondents had experienced physical assault, physical injury or sexual coercion by their partners during the 12 months before the survey.  Among the child respondents, 23% indicated they had encountered physical assault (including minor, severe and very severe) by either one or both their parents during the 12 months before the survey; Four percent had experienced very severe physical assault.

    The consultancy team also provided views on introducing batterer intervention programmes in Hong Kong and made a number of recommendations.  At present, SWD has offered group programmes to batterers.  It is planning to run a pilot involving non-governmental organisation on batterer intervention programmes, which would shed light on setting the goals, contents and standards of such programmes and facilitate further consideration of the recommendations made by the consultancy team.  Apart from providing treatment to batterers joining the pilot programmes on voluntary basis, the programmes may also be available to batterers put on probation under the arrangement of probation officers.

    "The consultancy team also made a number of recommendations on the review of the Domestic Violence Ordinance.  Many of the comments made were similar to the views previously expressed by legislators and other interested parties, and the Government will critically review the need for legislative amendments taking into account all relevant factors," the spokesman said.

    Commissioned by SWD, the study was conducted by the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong.  Part one of the study aimed to estimate the incidence and prevalence rates of child abuse and spouse battering in Hong Kong, to identify the essential elements contributing to effective prevention and intervention, and to study the feasibility and implications of adopting mandatory treatment of perpetrators in Hong Kong.  

    The second part of the study seeks to develop assessment tools to facilitate early identification of cases at risk of child abuse and spouse battering and timely intervention.  

Ends/Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Issued at HKT 19:04

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