At the invitation of the Macao Judiciary Police (MJP), the Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit (FCSV) conducted a training course on handling domestic violence cases for nearly 100 frontline officers of the MJP at the Judiciary Police School in Macao on June 5 and 6.

The Law on Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence has been in force in Macao since 2016. In this connection, Senior Inspector of FCSV Tam Yik-wun and Police Clinical Psychologist Lai Hiu-wai delivered a tailor-made course for the Macao officers to enhance their capability and sensitivity in investigating domestic violence cases as well as their skills in gathering evidence and communicating with vulnerable witnesses.

Delivering a welcoming speech in the course, Director of the Judiciary Police School Mr Suen Kam-fai thanked the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) for its assistance in running the course. He said adopting a multi-agency and cross-sectoral approach is an effective way to protect domestic violence victims and their children and to bring abusers to justice.

The course emphasised both theory and practice. It covered the HKPF's enforcement strategies and collaboration with the Social Welfare Department in handling domestic violence cases, family protection services in Hong Kong as well as skills in communicating with child victims and mentally incapacitated persons.

The Macao officers actively participated in group discussions and scenario-based exercises. They said the course has equipped them with the knowledge and skills in dealing with domestic violence cases and family protection work.