Government-appointed Northern District Community Service Consultative Council Deputy Convener Hong Wai Tong quoted a Public Security Police (PSP) officer as saying yesterday that between January and July this year 52 domestic violence cases were recorded, 20 fewer cases than in the same period of last year.
Hong made the remarks during a press briefing after the government-appointed committee’s closed-door regular meeting with Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) and Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) officials, as well as Judiciary Police (PJ) officers and PSP officers, about the situation and followup measures concerning domestic violence cases.
The meeting, which lasted over two hours, was held at the Government Service Centre in Areia Preta.
Hong quoted the government officials as saying that the most effective way to prevent future domestic violence is to always report such cases to the government, adding that members of the public should report instances of domestic violence voluntarily, such as by calling the domestic violence hotline on 2823 3030, after which, the respective government entities would immediately assess, intervene and proceed to deal with the reported case.
According to the Social Welfare Bureau and the Education and Youth Development Bureau, Hong said, both bureaus would “actively” consider introducing more advanced training courses and guidelines, so as to solve the problem of the lack of training for social workers and frontline staff members regarding domestic violence.
Fellow council member Chan Chi Weng noted that once a domestic violence case was reported, the government will list the whole family as a case, not only the individuals concerned, as children may experience post-traumatic effects from witnessing their parents abusing each other. He quoted the government officials as saying that in the future children’s mental abuse will be independently reported to the competent government entities for research and assistance.
Chang Kam Pui, a member of the government-appointed Northern District Community Service Consultative Council, quoted IAS and DSEDJ officials as saying that last year 59 suspected domestic violence cases and serious student-related incidents were reported.
Meanwhile, Chang said during the meeting that since the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect Macau in early 2020, civil society has been plagued by “tragedies”, such as suicides and domestic violence, adding that according to official statistics, in the first two quarters of this year 47 suicide cases were reported.
Consequently, apart from providing psychological consultations via mobile phone, Chang urged the government to adopt more “face-to-face” ways of consultation with people who need emotional support, such as online, so that those in need could feel the “warmth” provided by the counselling.
Chang also urged the government to set up regular psychological counselling areas for those contemplating suicide at nucleic acid testing (NAT) stations as COVID-19 is easing, which would not only play a long-term role in raising public awareness but could also assist the affected residents who are in urgent need of counselling.
Hong Wai Tong (centre), deputy convener of the government appointed Northern District Community Service Consultative Council, and committee members Chan Chi Weng (left) and Chang Kam Pui’s pose during a press briefing after yesterday’s closed-door meeting at the Government Service Centre in Areia Preta.
– Photo: Yuki Lei
