With some spouses reluctant to press charges, the plan may avoid having to take domestic abuse cases to court
Abusive spouses may be forced to undergo counselling to avoid being prosecuted under a plan being considered by social welfare officials.
The announcement comes amid debate over the effectiveness of current laws, following the recent killing of Tin Shui Wai mother Kam Shuk-ying and her daughters Lee Yin-li, six, and Lee Tsz-wan, five. Kam's husband, Lee Pak-sum, is in hospital with knife wounds.
Current laws only allow for compulsory counselling as part of a court order imposed if a person is convicted of domestic violence - and many wives are reluctant to press charges against their husbands.
But in some countries, abusive spouses can be exempted from court hearings if they attend counselling. Fung Pak-yan, assistant director of Social Welfare, said the department was considering whether to follow suit as it reviews current legislation. A University of Hong Kong study, announced last week, will examine compulsory counselling and examine the characteristics of domestic violence cases.
The study, to be used as a basis for possible changes to the laws, is expected to be finished late next year.
'We will need to see if counselling without a court order is effective, and who, other than the court, should be the one to impose such an order,' said Mr Fung, who is in charge of the department's family and child welfare unit.
