Victims of abuse who need shelter can be assured of assistance and a place for temporary stay until their family crisis is over.

The Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports (MCYS) has put in place the necessary referral protocol such that when a VWO-run crisis shelter is full, the shelter or the social worker involved will refer the case to MCYS. We would then link up with other shelter providers, and ensure that alternative shelter is found.

If a shelter is not able to accommodate all the family members, other options will be explored so that the family members can stay together. Such help is available to all victims of abuse, including foreigners.

MCYS monitors the capacity of shelters closely and, where necessary, more places will be made available. The three crisis shelters have a total capacity of 113 places and the average occupancy rate last year was 92 per cent. Work to set up additional shelters and expand the capacity of existing shelters is already underway. Last year, a new shelter that can accommodate 40 beds was set up. In the coming months, we will be able to provide 52 more places.

Anyone who wishes to seek help for family violence can call the Family Service Centre hotline on 1800-8380100.

Jason Wong
Director
Rehabilitation, Protection and Residential Services
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports