DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PILOT PROJECT (Counselling)

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Acting Minister for Community Development if he will give the number of (i) abusers and (ii) victims who attended and completed the counselling sessions in the domestic violence pilot project that was carried out between April and September 1995.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: (i) For the period 17th April till 16th October 1995, 68 cases of domestic violence were reported to the police. Of these, 18 cases were willing to be referred to the social service agencies for counselling and support services.

(ii) Among the 18 cases:

(a) 10 victims are still attending counselling;

(b) 4 victims and their spouses are still attending counselling; and

(c) 4 of the victims decided not to proceed with counselling.

(iii) Fifty of the victims in the pilot project were not referred for counselling for the following reasons:

(a) 28 refused any intervention;

(b) 13 did not see the need for intervention as they had filed/were filing for divorce;

(c) 6 had already reconciled with their spouses; and

(d) 3 were already receiving help from other agencies.