ACSVAW responds to the lack of focus on sexual violence in the latest Policy Address

The Chief Executive has delivered 2021 Policy Address in the Legislative Council today. However, there has been no measures and policy recommendations addressing supports to victim-survivors of sexual violence. 

Improve the current support services provided to victims

Under the current 'one-stop' service model operated by the government, most victims of sexual violence are required to go to different departments (hospital, police station, Forensic Pathology Service) to seek for assistance by themselves, instead of receiving the assistance in one location. The assistance services the victims need include – but not limited to – medical check-up, forensic examination, reporting to police, statement-taking, immediate emotional and counselling support provided by social workers.

The Hospital Authority has claimed that one 'designated room' is provided in each of the 18 public hospitals with A&E service for victims to undergo the necessary procedures and assistance. In practice, however not every mentioned hospital could provide the 'designated room'. Worse still, some victims were undertaking the procedures behind the curtain in the cubical area. Frontline social workers have no clue about the guidelines concerning the use of these 'designated rooms'.

The Association urges the government to formulate and publish guidelines and policies regarding the use of 'designated rooms', in order for the hospitals to implement in an effective manner. Meanwhile, we urge the government to establish a database pertaining to the utilisation of these 'designated rooms', which allows the relevant stakeholders to conduct regular review and raise recommendations for improvement. 

Set up crisis support centres for sexual violence victims in public hospitals 

In the long run, it is necessary for the government to set up crisis centres for sexual violence victims in public hospitals. The Legislative Council passed a motion unanimously at its meeting in December 2018, urging the government to allocate additional resources to the Hospital Authority for setting up a crisis centre in 3 public hospitals respectively in the New Territories, on Hong Kong Island, and in Kowloon. In accordance with the Guidelines for Medico-legal Care for Victims of Sexual Violence issued by the World Health Organization, the Hospital Authority should designate a suitable place in hospital with high privacy protection for setting up these crisis centres, thereby allowing victims to receive treatment and follow-up services and undergo necessary procedures in the same place. 

'Three years have passed since the motion was passed. Disappointingly, plans of setting up the crisis centres had yet to be announced. The Association urges the government to give a full account to the public of the responsible department for implementing the policy, its latest progress, and the follow-up work, including road map, site selection, funding arrangements and the timetable for consultation with stakeholders.' said Linda S.Y. Wong, Executive Director of Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women.