‘Happy Family Month’ raises awareness of domestic violence

The final series of events which were included in the “Happy Family Month” took place on Sunday. The event seeks to promote harmony within families in addition to raising awareness of domestic violence.
Attendinf the event, Au Chin Keung, vice-president of the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), noted that the bureau is cooperating with local associations “in order to fulfil the hopes of having zero domestic violence [in Macau].” The domestic violence law will comes into effect on October 5. Au added that “the government aims at promoting this law in the community.
Sunday’s events were supported by 38 local non-profit organizations, including the Caritas Macau, the Children Protection Centre, and the Sheng Kung Hui Social Services Coordination Office. More than 200 volunteers from Caritas Macau took part in the event. Wong Pui Kei, supervisor of Caritas Macau, told the Times that through these activities, the organizers and supporters of “Happy Family Month” were seeking to raise people’s awareness in particular of domestic violence. “We hope that in the future, people know [when dealing with a domestic violence case] that there are organizations they can call for assistance,” stated Wong.
He Xiu Min, a female visitor from Zhuhai, happened to come across people handing out Happy Family Month flyers while she was walking around the city with her son and husband. “We came here to visit Macau, but it is noble to see activities like these going on and be lucky to pass by them,” said He.
Another participant, Wan Sou Fan, a volunteer from the Sheng Kung Hui, brought five families to the Praça da Amizade as part of her role as one of the ambassadors of local communities. Nevertheless, she voiced some of her suggestions to the organizers. “We all are enjoying the activities, but it’s too hot today. It would be better if they could take place indoors,” said Wan, who also acknowledged that “the last outdoor event of the Happy Family Month did not have many participants because it was raining.”
According to IAS, more than 8,000 people attended the six events included in the “Happy Family Month.” Staff reporter