The Domestic Violence Ordinance will be revised to better prevent the problem and protect victims. Assistant Director of Social Welfare Anna Mak said the revisions will be tabled to lawmakers within this legal year.

She said on a radio talk show today the amendments include extending the scope of the ordinance to cover former spouses and co-habitees, empowering the court to attach a power of arrest, and extending the duration of the injunction order.

Housing help

On housing assistance, Mrs Mak said in urgent cases, temporary accommodation will be offered to family violence victims and their children.

Social workers will, based on professional judgment and on a case-by-case assessment basis, provide counselling and appropriate advice and make necessary arrangements, such as referring cases to the Housing Department for compassionate rehousing or conditional tenancy under compassionate rehousing. About 1,700 public housing homes were arranged for family violence victims in the past 12 months.

She said children's welfare is the department's primary concern in deciding child custody, adding the rehousing arrangement will not affect the decision.

Early intervention

Noting early intervention can prevent domestic violence, Mrs Mak urged all sectors to offer people in family crisis a helping hand and for victims to seek assistance as early as possible. A handbook is being prepared to better inform family violence victims the protection offered under the law.

When asked about social work manpower, Mrs Mak said the social worker turnover rate is lower than 1.5% and arrangements will be made to ensure a smooth transfer. Currently each social worker handles about 40 cases.