Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says the Government will enhance public awareness of elderly abuse through community education, case intervention, outreaching services and volunteer training.

Dr Chow today told lawmakers there were 176 elderly abuse cases in the first three quarters of last year, with 80.7% involving physical abuse and 8% psychological.

About 61.4% of the victims were female and 32.4% were in the 60-64 age group. As to the relationship between the abused victims and the abusers, 81.8% were spouses, 9.1% parents and children, and 3.4% parents-in-law and daughters-in-law.

Dr Chow said the Central Information System on Elder Abuse Cases has been set up since 2004 to collect statistics.

The Social Welfare Department will regularly organise training courses for personnel to enhance their knowledge and skills in handling elderly abuse cases. Its staff will accord top priority to the safety and welfare of the elders and take immediate intervention action once a case has been discovered.