Briefing on New Service Mode in Handling Sexual Violence Cases

1. Briefing on New Service Mode in Handling Sexual Violence Cases Ms PANG Kit-ling Chief Social Work Officer (Domestic Violence) Social Welfare Department 14 February 2007

2. Outline • Operational Definition of Sexual Violence • Guidelines for Good Practice • Handling Procedures

3. Operational Definition of Sexual Violence • when a person is subjected to non-consensual sexual act or non-consensual exposure to such act. • can take the form of physical or non-physical force, threat of force, coercion, intimidation, duress or deceit. • when the victim is unable to give consent owing to his/her age, mental capacity, fear, the influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances. It includes rape, attempted rape and marital rape, indecent assault, incest, being forced to engage in masturbation or oral sex, buggery, and indecent exposure.

4. Operational Definition of Sexual Violence (Cont’d) • It may occur in public or in private. • Perpetrator can be member of the family, relative, acquaintance or stranger. • Victim of sexual violence can be any person regardless of her/his age, sex, race, occupation, marital status or sexual orientation.

5. Statistics (Source: Central Information System on Battered Spouse Cases and Sexual Violence Cases)

6. Guidelines for Good Practice • Timely assistance • Immediate attention • Be sensitive and responsive to victim’s needs and aware of assistance other professionals can provide or has already provided • Provide support, information and counselling to victim’s family members or non-perpetrating parent

7. Professional attitude in dealing with victim’s needs • Treat victim with respect and empathy • Approach victim in a calm manner • Never blame victim for the incidents • Should adopt an accepting, open-minded and non-judgmental attitude, regardless of the victim’s personal status or behaviour • Should accept victim’s feelings of helplessness and confusion and be sensitive at all time

8. Trust victim for any allegation of sexual violence should be accepted as a genuine report until the contrary is proven • Should be knowledgeable of the services and legal provisions available • Always co-ordinate assistance for the victim • Proper documentation of the incident • Be alert to risks which may be overlooked or ignored by the victim • Be aware that victim may need psychiatric intervention

9. Multi-disciplinary collaboration • Should adopt a proactive approach to ensure close co-operation and collaboration with other professionals • To minimize the need for victim to repeat the traumatic experience • Confidentiality • Should respect victim’s privacy • Should assure victim of confidentiality • Should protect confidentiality of victim’s personal data in the course of discharging duties

10. The Victim of Crime Charter • should adhere to Victim of Crime Charter which sets out the rights and duties of victims of crime • Victim should be encouraged to report the incident to the Police as soon as possible • Victim should be advised the importance and for her legal interest to go to the hospital • Victim should be told what to expect and why certain questions are asked and procedures followed. Consent should be obtained and recorded when required • Victim should be informed of all aspects of progress of the case

11. Role of Case Manager • To provide crisis intervention, including outreaching service, emotional support, counselling and accompanying victim to go through necessary procedures • To proactively liaise with relevant departments / organisations involved and to accompany victim through a co-ordinated response • To help victim arrange follow-up services, e.g. medical follow-up and provide company to victim if necessary

12. To make arrangement / referral for other services, e.g. short-term accommodation, housing assistance, CP service, etc • To enquire about general progress of the case from the Police, hospital or lawyer as appropriate so as to ensure victim is being informed of the essential procedures and rights • To support victim in court proceeding if necessary • To look after other welfare needs of victim and her/his family

13. Handling Procedures (During normal office hours*) Victims of sexual violence approach: AED Police ServiceUnits Hotlines Designated referral line for sexual violence SWD designated social worker • Monday to Friday: 0845-1700 hours • Sat: 0900-1200 hours

14. Handling Procedures (Outside normal office hours) Victims of sexual violence approach: A&ED Police ServiceUnits Hotlines Designated referral line for sexual violence TWGHs CEASE Crisis Centre Designated social worker of TWGHs

15. Service of Designated Social Worker • Crisis intervention service to victim of sexual violence • Case management including co-ordination with the departments/agencies concerned • Support and counselling to the victim and her/his family • Referral for other necessary services, e.g. psychological treatment, financial assistance, etc • Case consultation for other frontline professionals handling sexual violence cases

16. Actions to be taken depending on the Need and Situation • Immediate medical attention? pre-attendance call to AED co-ordinate service with the nursing staff • Report to police? Liaise with Duty Officer of the nearest police station Liaise with Police on arrangement of statement-taking and forensic examination, if required, at a suitable place

17. Medical follow-up required? May assist victim to make appointment at one of the designated follow-up clinics for medical follow-up • Any welfare needs? counselling, referral to CP service, housing or financial assistance

18. If victim is an MIP • Contact the MIP’s significant others to gather further information • Help in explaining to Police that the person is an MIP for Police to decide whether special arrangement is required in statement-taking • Police to arrange for functional assessment by CP • Accompany victim in video-recorded interview, if required • Explain to MIP and her/his family as appropriate on the possible criminal proceedings, special legal provision, etc. • Apply for guardianship if situation warrants

19. Medical Social Services Units • give immediate attention to the victim • Introduce the service of designated social worker • Refer to designated social worker upon victim’s consent • Liaise with nursing staff to arrange a suitable venue that can ensure privacy for victim to wait for necessary procedures • Take a proactive role to liaise to ensure smooth transfer of case

20. Support of MSW in AED • Support to victims before arrival of designated social worker • Liaison with medical staff for necessary procedures and arrangement of suitable room for interview

21. Victim refuses service of designated social worker • Interview the victim and other family members, if present, to provide emotion support • Conduct interview in a safe and confidential environment and explain the need to have the necessary consent for release of information in making referral to other services • Encourage victim to report to the Police • Collaborate with medical professionals and liaise with other concerned parties • Render follow-up service depending on the needs of the victim

22. Other Settings Providing Casework Services New Cases • Give immediate attention to the victim • Introduce the service of designated social worker • Refer to designated social worker upon victim’s consent through designated referral line • Designated social worker takes up the case for necessary service

23. Designated social worker may outreach to a place convenient to the victim if immediate crisis intervention required. • If victim prefers to be followed up by the social worker she has approached, the social worker should provide necessary services to victim as stipulated in the guidelines.

24. Known Cases • Service of designated social worker should be introduced to victim • If victim accepts service of designated worker : refer to designated social worker and handle on shared case basis, i.e. designated worker to provide service relating to the sexual violence incident • If victim refuses to be referred to the designated social worker : the responsible social worker provide necessary services to victim as stipulated in the guidelines

25. Case Follow-up • Provide continuous services after the crisis until the situation becomes stable, say forat least 6 months • During the course of intervention, closely liaise and co-ordinate among depts/org, e.g. Police , LAD and clinical psychologist so as to minimise the need for victim to repeat the unpleasant experience

26. Rehabilitation Units • Service of designated social worker should be introduced to victim • If case is known to social worker of casework setting : refer to designated social worker on shared case basis • If case is known to day / residential rehabilitation service unit only : refer to designated social worker who will take up the case to provide service.

27. Whenever necessary, social workers of day / residential rehabilitation service units assist in providing support and accompanying MIPs in giving statement or attending video recorded interviews upon request • If victim refuses to receive the service of designated social worker, the social worker of the day / residential rehabilitation service unit should provide service to victim accordingly

28. Reminders • Best interests of victim is of paramount concern • Be flexible • Respect victim’s choice • Victim’s consent • Mutual trust

29. THANK YOU