"We selected WCIP Lo because of her continuous contribution in promoting concern about domestic violence among the members of the Hong Kong Police Force. She also provides a lot of training assistance on these matters within the Force and is a good communication channel between the Police and Harmony House," said Edith Chang Pui-lai, Executive Director of Harmony House.

"The selection criteria of the Professional Services Organisation is based on the quality and the quantity of support from the organisations, including the opinion of our phone hotline workers and users of our shelter," added Ms Chang. "Because frontline police officers are usually the first point of contact for victims of domestic violence, it is extremely important that we have the support of our police."

And Harmony House has the support of the Force.

Together with representatives of agency, WCIP Lo has over the last three years helped to raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence among Force members through presentations to Command Courses. She has also provided support and advice to non-government organisations dealing with victims of domestic violence, and continues to work closely with the Social Welfare Department in formulating Government and Force policy and procedures in handling incidents of domestic violence.

A Headquarters Order on Force procedures was published in December 1995 and a training video demonstrating these new procedures was produced and distributed to districts for use on training days. In 1996, multi-disciplinary guidelines were drawn up to help deal with cases involving battered women. And in 1997, domestic violence was included in the syllabus of PI and RPC training courses.

"And we continue to conduct talks on the subject at police stations throughout the territory," said Harmony House's Edith Chang, "at which time frontline police officers explain their working procedures and guidelines to us and in return we express the expectation of victims of domestic violence to police officers."

NTN Regional Commander Wong Leung Kam-shan said the Force handled 820 domestic violence cases between April 1996 and March 1997. "Although the 382 cases between April and September 1997 have indicated a slight drop, we remain committed to the problem. Force representatives meet regularly with the Working Group on Battered Spouses of Social Welfare Department, voluntary agencies and other professionals."

Currently, the Force's Crime Protection Policy Unit keeps statistics on reported incidents of domestic violence based on figures compiled from each District.

In Aberdeen, DVC Cheung Tak-yiu said all frontline officers of his station are very familiar with the procedures of tackling these cases and know the appropriate approach of referring cases to Harmony House or the Social Welfare Department. "Where incidents are amicably settled, officers now recommend that both parties consider attending the Social Welfare Department Family Services Centre or the Family Service Centres of non-Government Organisations for counselling."

Acting DVC Tsuen Wan, Law Cheuk-hung, said that because of the frequency of cases of domestic violence "our report room personnel have been trained to deal sympathetically and effectively with victims of this crime, who often feel embarrassed or ashamed about disclosing such private family matters. When such circumstances occur, a quieter room in which to make a statement is offered by our duty officers."

In terms of service quality, SIP OSSUC Tai Po DIV, So Kam-cheung, said that because new immigrant victims of domestic violence in his division seldom have relatives nearby to run to, they come (usually around midnight) to Tai Po Police Station which now allows them to stay in the station until the next morning when they are referred to a proper government or voluntary agency.

But if you think only women are battered, think again. DVC Ma On Shan, Mak Wai-chuen said: "Cases are not simply related to men beating women. We've seen incidents here where men are battered by their wives after they discover they have a mistress in China or somewhere else. In one case, an angry wife poured a pot of boiling oil on her husband after he went to sleep."

Along with the Hong Kong Police Force, five organisations including some offices of the Social Welfare Department and other voluntary agencies were also singled out by Harmony House as Professional Services Organisations.