Operation of the Multi-purpose Crisis and Support Centre
| Bureau / Department | Social Welfare Department (SWD) |
|---|---|
| Objective | The Multi-purpose Crisis Intervention Centre, namely CEASE Crisis Centre (Crisis Centre) operated by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), is crisis intervention and support service which aims to provide comprehensive support to adult victims of sexual violence and individuals / families facing domestic violence or in crisis, and to link them with appropriate health care and social services units for necessary protection and services. |
| Content | The Administration has long recognised the uniqueness and importance of the services provided to victims of sexual violence. Following a review of the services for such victims conducted by the then Health, Welfare and Food Bureau and SWD in collaboration with the Hospital Authority (HA), the Police and the Forensic Pathology Service of the Department of Health (DH), SWD has put in place a new service model since March 2007 which includes the provision of timely, professional and specialised services to victims of both genders and their family members on a 24-hour basis with easy accessibility and enhanced multi-disciplinary collaboration. The establishment of the Crisis Centre is one of the core components to implement the new service mode. |
| Groups / Persons Affected | Adult victims of sexual violence and their family members / relatives, individuals / families facing domestic violence or in crisis. |
| Impact | The Crisis Centre has employed a supervisor and a team of registered social workers and supporting staff to provide round-the-clock service throughout the year in two phases. The non-premises-tied services in the first phase, commenced in March 2007, include a 24-hour hotline [18281] for the public. Services provided include immediate counselling to the callers over phone, immediate outreaching / crisis intervention for adult sexual violence cases or elder abuse cases received after office hours and linking those in need of welfare services to appropriate service units for follow-up. There is another designated telephone line to enable fast track contact by the Police and related professionals. On receipt of calls / referrals concerning adult sexual violence during office hours, the Crisis Centre will arrange the Designated Social Workers of SWD to render crisis intervention service for the victims through the established mechanism. For those adult sexual violence cases reported to the Crisis Centre after office hours, the Crisis Centre will take over the cases for follow up. Crisis intervention services to the victims, provided by the Designated Social Workers of either SWD or the Crisis Centre, include immediate outreaching to support victims in hospitals, police stations or other places convenient to them. Depending on the victims' needs, services to be provided include arranging / accompanying victims to the nearest hospital with Accident and Emergency Department for immediate medical services (i.e. medical examination and treatment, emergency contraception, and screening test for Hepatitis B) and designated clinic for medical after-care services (including screening of sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, and other medical treatment as required), arranging / accompanying victims during statement taking by the Police and examination by Forensic Pathologist, counselling, referrals for emergency placement as well as other community support services, and also assistance to victims in respect of court proceedings, if required. To ensure the continuity of service, the same Designated Social Worker of SWD or the Crisis Centre will act as the case manager and follow through the case for at least six months as far as practicable to help the victims get over the traumatic experience. The second phase of services, which commenced in May 2008, provide short-term accommodation service with a capacity of 80 to needy individuals and families for a period of not more than two weeks. Admission of target service users will be on a 24-hour basis throughout the year. For privacy and safety concerns, the address of the Crisis Centre is kept confidential. Furthermore, the Crisis Centre has put in place appropriate measures to address different clienteles' needs and to ensure privacy. These measures include thorough pre-admission screening by social workers, provision of independent / self-contained / segregated flats for different clienteles, provision of escort service to pick up clients at places convenient to them, etc. Depending on their circumstances and needs, service users have the choice of using other existing short-term accommodation services, including the refuges for women, the Family Crisis Support Centre, etc. |
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