Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ8: Support service to victims of sexual violence
Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the
Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council
today (October 19):
Question:
This Council passed a motion at the meeting on April 12, 2000, urging the
authorities to provide comprehensive and timely one-stop emergency support
service to victims of sexual violence. However, Rainlily, which is operated by a
non-profit-making organisation and is the only crisis centre providing such
service in the territory, is facing closure because of the impending cessation
of subsidisation by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust at the end of this
year. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:
(a) of the measures the authorities have taken to follow up the above motion;
(b) of the respective numbers of cases of sexual violence reported to the Police
and other relevant government departments since 2003, the respective numbers of
such cases they have referred to Rainlily for follow-up, and the reasons for not
referring the remaining cases to Rainlily; and
(c) whether the authorities will take over to provide subsidy to Rainlily; if
not, of the reasons for that, and, upon the closure of Rainlily, whether the
authorities will provide such service by other means; if not, of the reasons for
that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) At present, the Family and Child Protective Services Units of the Social
Welfare Department (SWD), the Integrated Family Service Centres operated by SWD
and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as the social workers of the
Medical Social Service Units, provide a wide range of treatment and counseling
services to victims of sexual violence. These services include crisis
intervention, counselling and support, and if necessary, arranging victims to
receive other services according to their needs such as medical treatment
(including post-coital contraceptive service, screening of sexually-transmitted
diseases, medical examination, in-patient medical services, forensic examination
for collection of evidence), clinical psychological service, financial
assistance, arrangement of accommodation and legal service. SWD and NGOs also
provide counselling services to adults who had been victims of sexual violence
during their childhood. In addition, the Administration has strengthened the
coordination of different departments and professionals in the provision of
support services for the victims of sexual violence and stepped up publicity and
public education.
(b) Since 2003, the statistics of sexual violence cases handled by the Police
are as follows -
Sexual Violence Cases 2003 2004 2005 (January - September)
Rape 70 92 70
Indecent Assault 1,018 1,034 855
Unlawful Sexual
Intercourse(*) 239 266 173
Total 1,327 1,392 1,098
(*) Note: About 95% of the cases of unlawful sexual intercourse involve cases of
"intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 or 16".
According to the Procedural Guidelines effective from July 2002, the Police or
other government departments and agencies, when handling sexual violence cases,
should introduce to the victims of the services of the Rainlily [operated by the
Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women (the Association)] and
other relevant social service agencies, and make referrals in accordance with
the wish of the victims. Subject to consent by the female victims, the receiving
workers would refer the victims to Rainlily. In the event where the victims wish
to receive counselling and follow-up services from SWD or other service units of
NGOs, the departments or agencies handling the cases would make prompt referrals
as the victims desire.
SWD has not collected statistics on the number of sexual violence cases received
by individual service agencies (including NGOs) and the number of cases referred
to the Rainlily. But as explained above, there are at present various agencies
providing services to victims of sexual violence and they will make referrals in
accordance with the wish of the victims.
(c) We understand that the Association is applying for funding from the Hong
Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to continue its service. SWD has been playing a
co-ordinating role and closely keeping in view the progress of the application.
As noted in part (a) of the reply, SWD and other agencies are currently
providing a wide range of treatment and counseling services for victims of
sexual violence. In the event that the Rainlily cannot obtain funding to sustain
its service, the other service agencies will continue to provide services to the
victims.
Ends/Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Issued at HKT 13:05
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