To evaluate an empowerment, intervention specially designed for Chinese women residents of PLK Shelters.

1. 2013 Asian Conference of Women’s Shelters
Challenges and Breakthrough of Women’s Shelter in Asia
An Empowerment Model - Health, legal and social
collaborations in women shelter
LAI Ka Wai, Carol
Officer-in-charge, Wai On Home for Women,
Po Leung Kuk
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2. Po Leung Kuk
• founded in 1878
• runs over 230 units throughout Hong Kong
• providing welfare, educational, recreational and cultural
services to the community
Family Crisis Support Services
• 3 women Shelters
•Victim Support Programme for Victims of Family
Violence” (Tsui Lam Centre)
• Power up 360 (Educational Programme On Stopping
Domestic Violence)
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3. No. of Newly Reported IPV in Hong Kong
Year
No.of cases
2012
2011
3174
2010
3163
2009
4807
2008
6843
2007
6404
2006
3
2734
4424
Source: Social Welfare Department, Hong Kong

4. Women Shelters in Hong Kong
Name of shleter
Po Leung Kuk Wai On Home for Women
65
Po Leung Kuk Sunrise Court
45
Po Leung Kuk Dawn Court
40
Harmony House
65
Serene Court
4
Capacity
45

5. Services of PLK Women Shelters
Short term accommodation
- Confidentiality of address
- Free of charge
24-hour women hotline and pick up service
Pets fostering service
Risk assessment
(to be conducted within 48 hours after admission)
Case Counseling
Therapeutic group for women and children
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6. Services of PLK Women Shelters
Developmental programs and recreational activities
Supportive Services
- Homework guidance and day care for children
- Emergency relief fund/ food assistance
After care services
Mutual help group for discharged residents
Community education
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7. Po Leung Kuk Central Hotline (8100 1155)
Commenced operation in 2012
Combines 3 centers’ hotlines into 1 central hotline
 Round-the-clock handle enquiries and case admission
 Clients or referrers can apply 3 shelters @ 1 number
Functions:
Specialized team in handling hotline calls
Provides quicker responses to clients and referrers
Centralized record-keeping system
Better allocation of cases
Better use of vacancies
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8. Po Leung Kuk Central Hotline (Before & After)
Hotline Intake
(General Hotline)
Case rejected due to
Full house,
Location constraints,
Combination of residents,
Clt’s special needs…
Contact other shelter
for referral
Suitable for
admission
Inform Clt/ referrer
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Case rejected
Contact other
shelter for referral
Admission procedure
Hotline Intake
(Central Hotline)
Considerations:
Full house/
Location constraints/
Combination of residents/
Clt’s special needs
Assign suitable
shelter out of 3
Admission procedure

9. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
 Based on a research study : An evaluation of the
effectiveness of an empowerment intervention in a
group of abused Chinese women” Tiwari, Salili, Chan,
Chan, Tang 2010
 Aims and Objectives: To evaluate an empowerment
intervention specially designed for Chinese women
residents of PLK Shelters.
Administered over 3 weeks
Using a randomized controlled trial design, the
intervention was tested on 100 Chinese abused women
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10. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
 Intervention:
Empowerment Training: 6-hour intervention
(cycle of violence recognition, danger
assessment, developing a safety plan…)
Legal Advocacy: group counselling on legal advocacy
Chinese Dietetics: diagnostic assessment of health, teaching on
Chinese dietary regimens and group counselling
on health risk behaviours.
Parenting Skills: groups counselling on management of children’s
behavioral problems.
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11. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
Empowerment Training:
 Talks/ Programmes/ House meeting/ Groups
 Empowerment component including information on:
- the cycle of violence
- power and control wheel
- danger assessment
- developing a safety plan
- community resource phone numbers
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12. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
Empowerment Training:
Organic farming scheme
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13. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
Empowerment Training:
Mutual help group for discharged
residents (Volunteer training,
Magic mama, Overseas trip)
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14. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
Empowerment Training:
Job Training/ Empowerment Project
(Beauty Care Certificate Course, Nail Art Course, sales
skills training)
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15. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
Informative Programmes:
Group /Individual Legal consultation by lawyer
 Regular talks on social welfare (housing, legal,
financial assistance…)
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16. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
Health Programmes:
336 Towards Healthier You (provide health talk, daily
financial assistance on fresh meat and vegetables, daily
log)
In-house general body check by Registered Nurse
Regular assessment by Chinese Medicine Practitioner
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17. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
Health Programme:
Therapeutic groups (Expressive Art, Drama, Music…)
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18. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
Parenting Programme:
Full time Clinical Psychologist
Individual intervention
Parenting group/programmes
Parent Education Talk
Parent-child activities
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19. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
Parenting Programme :
Child Visitation Service
Target: Children & Parents from families of DV
Objective: Help them to rebuild relationship in a safe environment.
Contents:
Provide a safe and comfortable environment for visitation
Accompanied by social worker
Provide personal training or group sessions on emotional
management and parenting education
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20. An Empowerment Model used in PLK Shelters
Outcome measurement (2012):
100% clients :acquired basic skills in protecting and
planning for themselves and their children when they are
discharged.
91.8% of residents : have enhanced self-esteem after
joining the therapeutic groups.
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21. 2013 Asian Conference of Women’s Shelters
Challenges and Breakthrough of Women’s Shelter in Asia
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