The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) has received reports of nine cases of domestic violence in the first quarter of this year.
According to IAS deputy director, Tang Yuk Wa, fewer than 10% of the victims were men.
Suspected cases of domestic violence in 2022 stood at 39, 19 of which were domestic violence cases involving a spouse, while 16 involved children, and three involved the elderly.
Data from the Women and Children’s Affairs Committee showed that the average monthly number of suspected domestic violence cases was 3.3, a significant drop from 2021 figures (81).
Meanwhile, in a meeting with Hong Kong and mainland social service workers, Caritas said that its support hotline service, launched in 2015, has seen significant increases in the number of callers.
According to data provided by the association, the number of calls increased from 3,417 in 2018 to 4,529 last year.
Earlier this year, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) expressed concerns over the city’s inadequate protection against domestic violence and high reporting rate.
“The Committee is concerned that the laws against domestic violence do not apply to same-sex couples. It is also concerned about reports of insufficient application with low investigation and low prosecution rates despite a high report rate,” the CESCR concluded. Staff Reporter
