Domestic violence victim tells Legco of ex-husband's attack
Woman's case signals urgent need to overhaul outdated law, say concern groups
Government officials, legislators and concern group representatives held a minute's silence for victims of domestic violence ahead of an emotional Legco meeting yesterday on tackling family violence.
Chung Yuen-yi, a representative from the Women's Coalition of Equal Opportunity, said the Domestic Violence Ordinance needed to be overhauled.
'We are calling for domestic violence cases to be criminalised. We don't believe it is just a civil matter,' she said, speaking outside Legco where the group was demonstrating.
Last Wednesday, Fung Yuen-cheong, 70, was arrested for allegedly murdering his former wife, Mui Sau-kuen, 48, in their flat in Lek Yuen Estate, Sha Tin. Last Friday, a 76-year-old man was arrested for allegedly killing his 73-year-old wife in Yuen Long.
Inside Legco, Lau Siu-lai, speaking on behalf of the Hong Kong Association for Survivors of Women Abuse (Kwan Fook), made a plea to Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Linda Lai Wai-ming. Ms Lau told how she was battered by her husband, left him and sought new accommodation, but he stalked her and confronted her on the street.
'He grabbed me by the neck and began to beat me terribly. He lifted up my skirt as he was beating me. When the police arrived, they arrested both of us. I was told I was being arrested because I had allegedly provoked the fight. But I was also shocked to learn that because I was now divorced from him, it didn't constitute domestic violence.'
Ms Lai said the government intended to come up with solutions by talking with the groups and non-governmental organisations attending the meeting.
The concern groups said the law needed to clearly define molestation and domestic violence.
Committee chairwoman Chan Yuen-han stressed that while it may seem otherwise, 'the government and the people offering deputations are on the same page. I would highly recommend the setting up of a working committee'.
She branded Ms Lai's responses as 'too conservative', adding that 'it is simply not enough to consult these NGOs - [you] should be working with them. Don't squander their wisdom' she said.
'There is a clear lack of female perspective in the government's mainstream laws,' said Liu Ngan-fan, chairwoman of Kwan Fook.
Legislator Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung was 'extremely disappointed' with the government's response.
'I feel like I'm at a dead end,' Dr Cheung said. 'This issue has been debated countless times; the deputations have been the same, the ordinance is outdated, and yet the government seems to think that piecemeal responses are satisfactory. It simply isn't.'
