HONG KONG: The chief executive's policy address, delivered yesterday, recognizes the needs of victims of domestic violence and promises help. More specifically, CE Donald Tsang Yam-kuen unveiled government plans to roll out a new program to offer victims a comprehensive program of help.

Tsang said the new scheme will ensure that victims are given access to emotional support and to relevant information on legal proceedings and other community services.

A government source said: "Some domestic violence victims do not know where to seek help at all and have no idea of the legal proceedings involved after the case is reported to the police. They probably need some advice and counseling."

She said the city lacks a one-stop service at the present time, although some shelters provide short-term accommodation for battered family members.

She said the Social Welfare Department plans to commission one or more welfare groups to hire well-trained professionals to offer help to victims.

"For example, they can assist victims in reporting their cases to the police. They can also arrange shelters for them and soothe them," she said.

The level of funding has yet to be established but that will be come in next year's budget, she said.

Kwok Chi-ying, the supervisor of the Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre, said she welcomes the new initiative.

"It can help victims to get to know where to go and what to do. After-care is essential too," she said.

She said when victims testify in court, they usually feel anxious and they need legal advice.

Kwok said she believes that the experts proposed under the program will help.

Queenie Tao How-wah, the executive director of Harmony House, which counsels domestic violence victims and promotes family harmony, said she is delighted to hear of the government's plan.

"One-stop service is much appreciated, so victims do not have to go around to get the services they need. They will be too feeble and stressed out to do so. They need time to get their lives back on track," she said.

She said her center currently uses Jockey Club funding for its preventive work on domestic violence.

Tao said it will be better if the Social Welfare Department provides recurrent funding to her group to maintain the service.

Moses Mui Wai-keung, the chief officer of family and community service at the Council of Social Service, backed the government's idea and said legal advice is vital to many victims.

He said one-stop service will serve the needs of victims whie team workers are expected to provide specialized support.

In the policy address, Tsang also said the government will send telephone text messages to job seekers registered with the Labour Department concerning recruitment drives.

A spokeswoman for the Labour Department said the service will be free of charge and will be rolled out in the middle of next year.

She said job seekers who want to use the service can register at the government's job centers.

Tsang also said the Labour Department will set up a recruitment center for the retail industry in mid-2010.

The spokeswoman said the center will be located in Wan Chai.

(HK Edition 10/15/2009 page2)