Family and Child Protective Services
Family and Child Protective Services Units
SWD set up 11 Family and Child Protective Services Units (FCPSUs) across the territory to assist families facing the problems of child maltreatment and spouse/cohabitant battering, and safeguard the interests of children affected by custody/guardianship disputes. In 2021- 22, FCPSUs served 7 277 cases in total.
Specialised Co-parenting Support Centres
SWD has set up five Specialised Co-parenting Support Centres (SCSCs) in each of the five regions in Hong Kong (namely Hong Kong Island, Kowloon East, Kowloon West, New Territories East and New Territories West), since October 2019. Operated by NGOs, SCSCs provide separated/divorcing/divorced parents and their children with one-stop co-parenting support services, 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 2022, the five SCSCs provided support services for a total of 991 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 five refuge centres subvented by SWD, providing a total of 268 places. In 2021-22, the average utilisation rate of the five refuge centres was 49.0%.
Victim Support Programme for Victims of Family Violence
The Victim Support Programme for Victims of Family Violence (VSP) provides victims of domestic violence, including those undergoing judicial proceedings, with information on legal proceedings and community support services (such as legal aid service, accommodation, medical treatment and child care support, etc.). 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 500 victims and their family members in 2021-22.
Services for Batterers
SWD provides preventive, support and specialised services for batterers of intimate partner violence cases. In addition to casework services, social workers will arrange for the batterers to receive suitable group counselling services according to their needs and monitor their attendance. In 2021-22, a total of 51 batterers received counselling services under the Batterer Intervention Programme. In addition, 240 people participated in the Support Programme for Enhancing Peaceable Relationship, from which they acquired basic and practical knowledge and skills for managing anger and resolving conflicts with their partners in lieu of resorting to violence.
Publicity Campaign on "Strengthening Families and Combating Violence"
In the 2021-22 publicity campaign, SWD built upon the theme of last year's campaign, "Open Heart to Love, Embrace Family Love", by reinforcing the messages of cherishing family members, caring about their mental health and putting a stop to violence. It also stepped up public education to remind parents and adolescents to be wary of child sexual grooming on social media to protect children from being harmed/maltreated, and encourage members of the public to seek early assistance in the face of adversities. Besides, Facebook and Instagram pages named "Heart and Hut" were set up in November 2020 to enhance campaign promotion on social media platforms. Various video clips are posted on the pages, and a new set of television and radio Announcements in the Public Interest titled "Reporting Child Abuse is Everyone's Responsibility" was aired to help promote the message of enhancing family relationships and child protection.
Professional Training Relating to Child Protection and Domestic Violence
SWD continued to provide professional training for social workers and other professionals on the themes of child protection and domestic violence, such as understanding and handling child abuse, spouse/cohabitant battering, elder abuse and sexual violence. In 2021-22, centrally-coordinated training activities organised by district social welfare offices attracted an attendance of some 10 100 people.