The Government has all along attached importance to supporting families, especially those in crisis, Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Carrie Yau says.

Mrs Yau made the remarks at the Hong Kong Invitational Mural Design Competition awards presentation and launch of the publicity campaign, Strengthening Families & Combating Violence 2005-06.

She said the causes of domestic violence were complicated and urged the community to make concerted efforts to offer assistance to troubled families to prevent the occurrence of tragedy.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Social Welfare Paul Tang stressed that everybody has a duty to help prevent domestic violence.

"People who have come across some forms of family problems and violence should strengthen their own protection and social networks and seek early assistance. I urge the whole society to work together to build a domestic violence-free society," Mr Tang said.

To heighten public awareness of family cohesion and the need to build a violence-free society, a working group was set up in 2002 to formulate publicity and education programmes.

Murals help spread message

The mural design competition was one of the main programmes of the last year's publicity drive. Fifty-six groups - churches, companies, hospitals and non-governmental organisations - were invited to design 42 murals in 18 districts.