2016-03-22
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The Domestic Violence Prevention Center had long used the local police station as its office with sessions once every two weeks. 100 cases of domestic violence and sexual assault occur on average in the Heping District each year. Even though the number is small, the frequency is quite high and the Prevention Center thinks it necessary to have a permanent office there. After opening, the permanent office will have Social Affairs personnel on staff as well as pastors, village leaders and local elders. Its vision is to become a guardian against domestic violence, assisting victims while also providing civilians with counseling services.
The Lishan Permanent office will provide services such as protective work, an emergency shelter for victims, integration of legal resources, psychological consultation and recovery. It will also work with local schools to arrange group activities during the holidays and assist in the recovery of victims.
“A-Mei (nickname)”, a past victim assisted by the prevention center asked social workers to give a card to Director Hou as a token of thanks to the Prevention Center for bringing her new life. According to the Prevention Center, A-Mei was subject to long-term domestic abuse by her husband; however, she chose to keep silent. After receiving reports, the Center immediately dispatched social workers to assist A-Mei in obtaining a protection order while integrating various available resources. They also arranged for A-Mei and her husband to undergo marriage counseling in order to see each other in the way they used to while learning how to communicate and co-exist. After long-term support and care, no more violence exists between them. A-Mei and her husband even travel together frequently.
Heping District representative Lin Yongfu expressed gratitude to city hall for paying attention to the needs of rural citizens with the establishment of the Lishan Permanent Office as a channel of support and counseling.
Heping is a large district, taking up almost half of Taichung City. The Social Affairs Bureau says that in order to enhance service in rural areas, the Taichung City Domestic Violence Prevention Center has been investing considerable personnel and resources from as early as 2000. In addition to the Prevention Center, the civil group “Taichung City Shanhaitun Lifeline Association” is also entrusted to provide long-term service. Service Personnel has been expanded from 2 to 4 and the method of service has developed into a permanent office from only once every fortnight. A total of 2578 were served last year (2015) with matters from legal consultation, sanctuary, accompanied interrogation, psychological consultation and the obtainment of protection orders.
unit:綜合企劃科
