Protection for victims in domestic violence

What can I do immediately if my spouse assaults me and my children?

If you or your children are assaulted or threatened by your spouse or person with whom you are living, you should report the matter to the police.

If you do not have immediate danger from your spouse or you do not want your spouse to be arrested, you may consider the following options:

a) Social Welfare Department

You may contact the Social Welfare Department (General enquiry: 23432255), or one of the voluntary agencies such as the Family Crisis Support Centre operated by the Caritas-HK (with a 24-hour hotline: 18288). They may be able to assist you in getting medical help and finding a place of refuge for you.

b) Court's injunction order

If you are afraid that there may be more violence or threats in addition to reporting the matter to Police, you may apply to the Court for an order called an "injunction". This remedy is available even if you are not married legally to the person who has assaulted you. It is also available even though you do not intend, or wish to commence divorce or separation proceedings against your spouse. You can still get an injunction.

In making an injunction the Court may order you spouse NOT to molest, threaten or assault you or your children and may, in certain circumstances, eject your spouse from the matrimonial home. In some cases the Judge may add a power of arrest which means that the police will immediately arrest your spouse if you are threatened again and are afraid of further violence.

The Court may make an order at first without your spouse being told about it. In other words you may apply to the Court without telling your spouse what you are going to do. However, the written order must be served upon your spouse before it is of any effect. You must therefore take steps to ensure that you are in a place of safety, either with friends, or relatives or in Harmony House until the order has been served.

c) Harmony House

Harmony House provides a refuge (or shelter) for battered women. It is a safe retreat for women, with or without children, who are in immediate danger of violence. The main concern is the safety of and the support for the battered women, and to provide a temporary residential service to these women. Most of the residents stay for about 2 weeks, but in special cases, the period of stay may extend up to 3 months.

During their stay the refuge provides the residents with individual and group counselling and other related resources and services. The refuge also encourages mutual support and foster community spirit among the residents. Each resident had her own free time and privacy.

In order to provide the immediate service to battered women, the refuge has a 24 hours hot line service, battered women may contact the refuge directly by ringing 2522 0434.

Men facing domestic violence can also call the Harmony House (men's hotline) at 22951386.

For more details about Harmony House, you can also visit its website at http://www.harmonyhousehk.org/index1.asp