According to the "Procedural Guide for Handling Child Abuse Cases - Revised 2007", child abuse is defined as any act of commission or omission that endangers or impairs the physical/psychological health and development of an individual under the age of 18. Such act is judged on the basis of a combination of community standards and professional expertise. It is committed by individuals, singly or collectively, who by their characteristics (e.g. age, status, knowledge, organizational form) are in a position of differential power that renders a child vulnerable. Child abuse is not limited to a child-parent/guardian situation but includes anyone who is entrusted with the care and control of a child e.g. child-minders, relatives, teachers etc. For child sexual abuse, the acts may also be committed by strangers to a child. Child abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and psychological abuse.
According to the "Procedural Guide for Handling Intimate Partner Violence Cases (revised 2011)", spouse / cohabitant battering is a kind of domestic violence occurs in a relationship between a couple who can be married couples, co-habitees and separated spouses / cohabitees, etc. It covers incidents of physical attack and may take the form of physical and sexual violations, such as slapping, pushing, pinching, spitting, kicking, hitting, punching, choking, burning, clubbing, stabbing, throwing boiling water or acid and setting on fire as well as spouse / cohabitant being forced to be involved in sex or undesirable sexual acts. It also includes psychological abuse, such as repeated verbal abuse, harassment, confinement and deprivation of physical, financial, personal resources and social activities, etc.
According to the "Procedural Guidelines for Handling Sexual Violence Cases (Revised 2007)", sexual violence happens when a person is subjected to non-consensual sexual act or non-consensual exposure to such act. The subjugation can take the form of physical or non-physical force, threat of force, coercion, intimidation, duress or deceit. It can also happen when the victim is unable to give consent owing to his/her age, mental capacity, fear, the influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances. It includes rape, attempted rape and marital rape, indecent assault, incest, being forced to engage in masturbation or oral sex, buggery, indecent exposure, etc. It may occur in public or in private. The perpetrators can be members of the family, relatives, acquaintance or strangers. A victim of sexual violence can be any person regardless of his/her age, sex, race, occupation, marital status or sexual orientation.
You or your relatives/ friends can apply for admission to the following refuge centres or crisis support centres:
There are five refuge centres for women (address being kept confidential). The refuge centres provide temporary accommodation and supportive services to women and their children who are facing domestic violence or family crisis. The refuge centres admit cases on a 24-hour basis. Hotlines of the refuge centers are as follows:
Wai On Home for Women 2793 0223
Harmony House 2522 0434
Serene Court 2787 6865
Sunrise Court 2890 8330
Dawn Court 2243 3210
The Multi-purpose Crisis Intervention and Support Centre (CEASE Crisis Centre), operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, provides comprehensive support to victims of sexual violence and individuals / families facing domestic violence or in crisis (including men and victims of elderly abuse). Services include 24-hour hotline, immediate outreaching and short-term accommodation service.
Direct application or referral by any organization to CEASE Crisis Centre is accepted. CEASE Crisis Centre 24-hour hotline : 18281
Website: http://ceasecrisis.tungwahcsd.org
The Family Crisis Support Centre (FCSC), operated by the Caritas - Hong Kong , provides time-out facility and an integrated package of services in helping people under extreme stress or facing crisis to manage their emotions and seek positive solution to family problems. The FCSC operates 24-hour a day and is designed to also serve men. For assistance/enquiry, please call Family Support Crisis Centre 24-hour Hotline 18288.
Website: http://fcsc.caritas.org.hk