Strong and stable families are the bedrock of our society. Everyone should feel safe and supported by their family members. Domestic violence offends our fundamental values as a society and must not be condoned. The Government has been working closely with community partners to put in place legal protection and comprehensive social service support, and invest in public education and training to tackle domestic violence.
The Domestic Violence Trends Report highlights key trends in child abuse, spousal abuse, elder and Vulnerable Adult abuse, and cases where Vulnerable Adults neglected themselves. These are based on cases overseen by community agencies (i.e. Tier 1 cases of low to moderate safety and risk concerns), and those overseen by MSF’s Child Protective Service and Adult Protective Service (i.e. Tier 2 cases of high safety and risk concerns, which require statutory intervention).
From 2021 to 2023, the number of new Tier 2 cases decreased. However, the number of new Tier 1 cases increased, suggesting greater awareness and willingness by survivors and the public to report abuse and seek help early. Early reporting could have helped prevent cases from escalating in risk severity.
Domestic violence is not a private matter, nor is it only or primarily for professionals to address. All of us have a part to play in building a society where everyone can feel safe. We bear collective responsibility to stop domestic violence. Seeking help early can save lives and foster healthy family relationships.