Family and Child Protective Services
Family and Child Protective Services Units
SWD has set up 11 Family and Child Protective Services Units (FCPSUs) across the territory as specialised units to assist families with problems of child maltreatment and spouse/cohabitant battering as well as safeguarding the interests of children affected by custody/guardianship disputes. In 2020- 21, FCPSUs served 7 002 cases in total.
Specialised Co-parenting Support Centres
SWD has set up 5 Specialised Co-parenting Support Centres (SCSCs), operated by NGOs in each of the 5 regions in Hong Kong (namely Hong Kong Island, Kowloon East, Kowloon West, New Territories East and New Territories West), since October 2019 to provide one-stop co-parenting support services to separated/divorcing/divorced parents and their children, including co-parenting counselling service and parenting co-ordination service, children contact service, structured co-parenting groups or programmes and child-focused counselling, groups or programmes. As at 31 March 2021, the 5 SCSCs provided support services to a total of 579 new cases.
Refuge Centres for Women
The refuge centres for women provide temporary accommodation service for women with or without children who are facing domestic violence, having serious personal problems or family crisis. At present, there are 5 refuge centres subvented by SWD, providing a total of 268 places. In 2020-21, the average utilisation rates of the 5 refuge centres were 55.5%.
Victim Support Programme for Victims of Family Violence
The Victim Support Programme for Victims of Family Violence (VSP) provides information on legal proceedings and community support services (such as legal aid service, accommodation, medical treatment and child care support, etc.) to victims of domestic violence, including those undergoing judicial proceedings. They are also provided with emotional support and company to alleviate their fear and sense of helplessness while going through judicial processes. The VSP served 610 victims and their family members in 2020-21.
Services for Batterers
SWD provides preventive, support and specialised services for batterers of intimate partner violence. In addition to casework services, social workers will arrange suitable group counselling services according to the needs of the batterers and monitor their attendance. In 2020-21, a total of 37 batterers received counselling service under the Batterer Intervention Programme. In addition, 380 people participated in the "Support Programme for Enhancing Peaceable Relationship" to acquire the basic and practical knowledge and skills in handling anger and resolving conflicts with their partners so as to prevent the use of violence.
Publicity Campaign on "Strengthening Families and Combating Violence"
In 2020-21, SWD built upon the promotional theme of last year, "For Your Child's Happiness Don't Fight Please Talk", by incorporating messages of cherishing family members and stopping violence with a view to reminding parents, partners or family members to think twice when handling conflicts and avoid resorting to violence. Besides, Facebook and Instagram pages named "Heart and Hut" have been set up since November 2020 to strengthen publicity on social media networks. Various short video clips are posted on the pages, and celebrities and online media are invited to help promote the message of enhancing family relationship and child protection.
Professional Training Relating to Child Protection and Domestic Violence
SWD continued to provide professional training to social workers and other professionals on the theme of child protection and domestic violence, such as understanding and handling child abuse, spouse/cohabitant battering, elder abuse and sexual violence. In 2020-21, there were around 7 200 attendances for centrally-coordinated training activities organised by district social welfare offices.