(The Standard 9 Dec 2013) The
Council of Social Service has underscored (強調) a worrying trend (趨勢) in domestic
violence, which spiked over 40 percent to more than 2,800 cases in the first
nine months of the year.
Business director Cliff Choi Kim-wah believes
the figures represent only the tip of a wider (眾多的)social problem.
"The situation is worrying. Although the
rise may be down to more people choosing to report violence, most prefer to
stay silent or they lack the awareness to go to the police," Choi said.
About 85 percent are women, who were abused
by their husbands or partners.
"Of these 2,800 cases, they are mainly
from low-income districts including Yuen Long, Kwai Tsing, and Wong Tai Sin.
Cases of violence may be related to the low social and economic status,"
he said.
Women from these
districts may be low skilled or jobless.
"They were
reluctant (不甘心情願做) to report cases of violence because they were afraid of losing the
only breadwinner (掙錢養家的人)," Choi said.
Many of the cases
involved couples aged 30 to 40.
"This may be due
to the change in lifestyle after getting married, and spouses have different
expectations of each other."
Angela Ho Man-kay, a
former president of the Hong Kong Federation of Women Lawyers (香港女律師協會), urged law
enforcement officials to adopt (採取) a friendlier (友善的) policy toward victims so that more
will be willing to speak up.
"More female
police should be trained to help record statements of victims of domestic
violence. If there are inadequate (不足的) resources to train them, there should be
designated (指派) police stations with this service helping victims," Ho said.
Teoh Lin Wai-hing, a
former president of women's group the Zonta Club (崇德社) in Kowloon, said education
should be reinforced (被加強) at schools.
The club will
cooperate with the Tung Wah Group, Home Care for Girls and others in order to
help more women.
"Some cases of
domestic violence will be examined in a film for schools to be used as teaching
material. Talks will be held in schools as well," she added.
Choi agreed that
gender education should be enhanced (被提高).
"Many people
regard taking care of children as women's duty but it's absolutely (當然) not,"
he said.
Many people in
society, such as the police, media workers and teachers, should also bear in
mind (記住) the importance of avoiding gender stereotypes(性別刻板上的區分)."
HILARY WONG
