Care and tact: Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung arrives at Tuen Mun Hospital where she received a briefing by representatives of a number of departments involved in dealing with domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a complex issue that requires care and tact on the part of all personnel concerned, Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung says. It also requires an inter-disciplinary approach, she says. 

During a visit to Tuen Mun District today, Ms Leung said resources made available to Tuen Mun should be used flexibly so as to give due emphasis to local issues such as domestic violence and community-building.

Ms Leung chose to visit the district because of its high percentage of public housing and because a large number of its residents are new immigrants.

The district is also susceptible to a high incidence of domestic violence and most victims of these cases are women.

She first arrived at Tuen Mun Hospital where she received a briefing by representatives of a number of departments involved in dealing with domestic violence, including the Social Welfare Department, the Police and the Tuen Mun District Office.

Ms Leung was told that in the first 10 months of this year, there were 63 domestic violence cases in the district, representing an increase of 12 cases over the 51 cases recorded in 2003. Among the cases this year, 83% were serious assaults.

Battered women describe their experiences

After talking to a number of domestic violence victims in a private meeting, Ms Leung said she was privileged to have the unique opportunity of meeting with them, and sharing with them not only their traumatic experiences but how they and other women in similar situations could be assisted by the community.

The secretary then visited the Tuen Mun District Women's Association Community Centre where employment training courses were being conducted.

She also met a group of service recipients at the centre and was pleased to learn that with the new knowledge they have acquired in the various courses, they are now better-equipped to find a new job.

District Council members exchange views

Ms Leung concluded her visit with a discussion with a group of district leaders and representatives, including the chairman and members of the Tuen Mun District Council.

"We had a frank exchange of views on a range of issues that were of concern to the district. I will convey these views to the relevant bureaus for appropriate follow-up actions," she said.

Before joining the Government in 1997, Ms Leung was the legal adviser to a number of non-governmental organisations working on women's issues, including, among others, domestic violence. She has continued to show a keen interest in these issues.