Social Challenge 2: Domestic Violence
How might we empower domestic
violence victims?
Why is
this important?
Breakdowns in family
communication can trigger violent incidents, which range from heated disputes
to crimes, including injuries, rapes and even murder cases.
Background
Many attribute the growing
problem of domestic violence to prevailing society's low attitude towards
women, the elderly and the children - who comprised most of the victims of
domestic violence. In particular, women cases have increased dramatically by
257%, from 1009 cases in 1998 to 3598 cases in 2005. The total number of reported cases only
represents 1-2% of the total number of spousal abuse cases, which reflects only
the tip of an iceberg.
Status
Quo
Growing awareness and sense
of empowerment among local women to report abuses may have also been a factor
in this increasing visibility of the problem. Assistance available to victims
of violence in the family remains limited. There are only four shelters in Hong
Kong, providing around 170 places, which is a starkly inadequate number for a
population of 6.8 million. Private resources are also hampered by lack of
funding. Moreover, there is a low level of
awareness amongst victims in respect of the services or assistance offered by
the Government or NGOs. Some women are also reluctant to report cases due to fear
of the negative impacts on their families and children.
Solution 4: 24-Hour Help Hotline
- Victims may be reluctant to share personal issues as such with friends
- The hotline provides an outlet for them to share their worries anonymously
