No tolerance of domestic violence

Domestic violence should not be tolerated and there should be effective and accessible protection for the abused, the Director of Social Welfare, Mr Paul Tang Kwok-wai, said today (December 18) at the first Mural Competition Ceremony under the publicity campaign on "Strengthen Families and Combating Violence".

Mr Tang said the Social Welfare Department would step up its efforts and measures to prevent and tackle family violence.

"We believe that prevention is always more cost-effective and better than remedial measures, that's why more extensive public education on child protection and family harmony need to be conducted," he said.

Over the years, the department has initiated effort in promoting publicity campaign on strengthening families, and programmes and activities on prevention of domestic violence, both at the central and district levels.

The Mural Design Competition is the key programme of the "Strengthening Families and Combating Violence" publicity campaign launched by the Social Welfare Department this year to arouse public awareness of the need to strengthen family cohesion and combat violence.

The response has been enthusiastic and the department received about 120 applications.

There are 40 murals to be drawn by 56 organisations between December, 2004, and mid 2005, and will be displayed in various locations in the territory.

An adjudicating panel with seven members from different disciplines will be formed. They include representatives of the Social Welfare Department, Information Services Department, non-governmental organisations and relevant professional groups.

During today's ceremony, officiating guests put the finishing touch to the first completed mural and several participating families also shared their views about joining the competition.

End

Saturday, December 18, 2004