Educational Programme on Stopping Domestic Violence (EPSDV)

Introduction

Spouse / cohabitant battering is a complex social problem which has to be tackled by various means ranging from public education to intensive individual and group counselling. Apart from providing victims with protection and support, helping batterers to realise the devastation of spouse / cohabitant battering and learn non- violent ways to handle conflicts with their spouses / cohabitants is crucial to curb the problem.

In order to provide another option for batterers who are in need of intervention and ready to join a brief programme, but not yet ready to attend the Batterer Intervention Programme (BIP) which is longer in duration or not required by Court to join the Anti- violence Programme (AVP), the Social Welfare Department thus commences the Educational Programme on Stopping Domestic Violence (EPSDV).

Programme Objectives

 EPSDV is a short educational programme with the emphasis of timely, flexible and skill-based intervention to help batterers or potential batterers: - stop using violence towards their spouses / cohabitants; - cope with the crisis arising from their violent behaviour; and - improve their relationship with their spouses / cohabitants.

Target Service Users

 Adult batterers who are currently or have been involved in spouse / cohabitant battering where the risk still exists or couples / cohabitants with high conflicts and high risk of perpetrating violence towards others and are hoping to maintain harmonious relationship with their spouses / cohabitants and motivated to deal with the spouse / cohabitant battering problem;

 Cantonese-speaking people;

 Non-Cantonese speakers or people with specific ethnic cultures (interpretation service will be provided if needed); and

 People with different sexual orientations. Nature of the Programme

 A 6-hour educational programme delivered with great flexibility.

 Programme would be available within 4 weeks after the application or referral.

 Brief and focused education on basic and practical knowledge and skills in handling anger and resolving conflict with their spouses / cohabitants.

 Mainly delivered in group format while individual sessions with or without interpretation service will be provided for participants who cannot communicate with others in Cantonese, is of ethnic minorities or different sexual orientation.

 Not to replace the existing BIP and AVP. Participants can be referred for BIP for further in-depth intervention.

 Referral will be made to suitable service unit for follow up during or after the EPSDV if participants have welfare needs.

Service Clusters

 The programme will be provided according to the following 5 service clusters:

Cluster Service Delivery Areas Operating Programme Name and Contacts Organisation A Central & Western, Tung Wah Group H.O.R.I.zon Southern, Islands, Eastern of Hospitals Tel: 2464 1518 and Wan Chai Fax: 2454 3003 Email: [email protected] B Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin Hong Kong Family Peace Campus and Sai Kung Welfare Society Tel: 2775 2332 Fax: 2775 2221 Email: [email protected] C Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Po Leung Kuk Power up 360 Mong, Sham Shui Po, Tel: 2899 0019 Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing Fax: 2899 0034 Email: [email protected] D Sha Tin, Tai Po and North Tung Wah Group H.O.R.I.zon of Hospitals Tel: 2464 1518 Fax: 2454 3003 Email: [email protected] E Yuen Long and Tuen Mun Tung Wah Group H.O.R.I.zon of Hospitals Tel: 2464 1518 Fax: 2454 3003 Email: [email protected]

 Participants can choose to attend the Programme in any service cluster according to their needs and preference. Fee charging

 Free of charge.

Application and Referral

 Applications can be made by the participants directly or through referrals from casework units of the Social Welfare Department, non-governmental organisations and the Hospital Authority.

 For enquiry of application and case referral, please contact the operators of the respective clusters directly.

Family and Child Welfare Branch Social Welfare Department April 2014