Collaboration call: Women's Commission chairperson Sophia Leung says the whole community must work together to eliminate domestic violence.

The Women's Commission has called for a multi-dimensional strategy to eliminate domestic violence.

In its Women's Safety in Hong Kong: Eliminating Domestic Violence report issued today, the commission calls on the community to collaborate to make Hong Kong a safer and more harmonious place for all.

Commission chairperson Sophia Leung said domestic violence against women is a public issue of concern.

"When a woman is abused, her entire family, including children, suffer. This in turn holds very grave implications for society as a whole," Mrs Leung said.

The report has chosen the World Health Organisation approach of using a co-ordinated community intervention model to address the problem.

5 key areas

Adapted for the local situation, it suggests five key approaches - women's empowerment; prevention, education and community support; early identification and intervention; criminal justice responses; and, research, data sharing and dissemination of findings.

The commission will promote multi-disciplinary co-operation in tackling domestic violence, and advocate gender awareness, equality and mutual respect.

The report also advocates policy, service and legal changes. It has 21 recommendations, covering law reform; services; publicity; professional knowledge-sharing, documentation and research; the hospitals, health and medical sectors; gender mainstreaming and gender-related training; early identification and intervention; and community networking.

Mrs Leung said the commission has chosen 'Together We Build a Harmonious Community' as its theme for the next five years.

"The surest foundation of this harmonious community is harmonious family. We appeal to all stakeholders and everyone to partner strategically with us. Together we can play a vital role in making Hong Kong safer for women and for everyone, both at home and in the community at large."

To browse the full report, visit the commission's website.