The proposal to amend the Domestic Violence Ordinance does not give legal recognition to same-sex relationships or provide legal entitlements to people in such relationships.

This was the message today from Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung at the Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services meeting.

He said the proposal provides civil remedies to domestic violence victims while upholding the Government's policy of not recognising same-sex relationships as a matter of legal status.

He said the proposal is "only relevant to the policy area of domestic violence, and it enables same-sex cohabitants to apply under the ordinance to the court for an injunction order against molestation by their cohabiting partners.

"The proposal is made after taking into consideration the intimate relationship between same-sex cohabitants, as in the relationship between heterosexual cohabitants, which might entail similar special power interface, dynamics and risk factors and render the victims reluctant to report to the Police the abusers' acts of violence and seek redress under the criminal legislative framework.

"Additional civil remedies should be provided for these victims to enable them to be freed from molestation."

He added the amendments do not affect other legislation.

"The administration does not recognise same-sex marriage, civil partnership or any same-sex relationship as a matter of legal status and policy stance," he said. "The proposed amendments have no relevance to the legal definition of marriage."