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The Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit (FCSV) of the Crime Wing Support Group and the Social Welfare Department (SWD) jointly organised an inter-departmental seminar cum exercise on One-Stop Service model on October 27 to strengthen collaboration between government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in handling sexual violence reports. Over 110 representatives from the SWD, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hospital Authority, the Forensic Pathology Service of the Department of Health, the CEASE Crisis Centre and RainLily participated in the event either in person or via live broadcast online.
During the seminar, Forensic Pathologist Dr Kwok Ka-ki, Police Clinical Psychologist Ms Ho Wing-sze, Supervisor of the CEASE Ms Liu Pui-shan and Centre-in-charge of RainLily Ms Ng Wing-lam shared the medico-legal aspects of sexual offences, psychology of sexual offence victims and their experience in handling sexual violence victims.
Frontline officers from different disciplines participated in the exercise of a simulated case of sexual offence or acted as observers. The exercise was followed by a debriefing session in which the participants shared their experience in handling sexual violence reports. The participants took the opportunity to learn more about the roles and procedures of other disciplines to enhance their cooperation in future.
The One-Stop Service model was initiated by the SWD in 2007 to enhance coordination of government departments and NGOs in the provision of services for sexual violence victims. Under the model, police officers, whenever practicable, would arrange victims to receive medical treatment, forensic examination and take statements in the same hospital to minimise the need for them to travel around and repeat their unpleasant experience.
The FCSV will continue to enhance inter-departmental cooperation in handling sexual violence reports and strengthen training to frontline police officers, in a bid to provide better protection and support services for victims.
