An independent panel of welfare experts and psychologists will be set up to probe the Tin Shui Wai family tragedy. Director of Social Welfare Paul Tang said today the three-member panel will also offer suggestions on improving the department's family services.

It will report its findings in six months, and in the meantime the department will transform in phases the existing family services centres into integrated ones in 2004-05 to make services more user-friendly and effective.

It is expected 60 integrated family services centres will be available by that time to offer one-stop service, like the provision of resources, support and counselling. The department is pooling existing resources for the move, and is liaising with relevant non-government organisations to work out detailed arrangements.

Spouse abuse on the rise

The department said there were 3,298 cases of spousal abuse received last year, a surge of about 8.7% when compared with 2002. Tuen Mun topped the list with 598 cases, followed by Yuen Long (347) and Eastern District (232).

Last year also saw 481 child abuse cases, which represented a drop of 7.5% compared with 2002. Yuen Long topped the list with 70 cases, followed by Tuen Mun with 59.

The department has joined with support services units in Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long to offer a variety of outreaching services to help families in need.