主持人:Christina Y W Chua
Listen to #Hashtag Hong Kong every Sunday morning at 8.15
Focussing on issues affecting civil society, we'll hear from representatives of NGOs, associations, statutory bodies, and non-profit groups.
(Sundays 8.15am - 8.25am)
As most will know, the law can be complicated, confusing and costly. In Hong Kong, 1.394 million people live at or below the poverty line and that population cannot afford to pay private lawyers’ fees.
We know from the Department of Justice’s 2008 consultancy study on the “Demand for and Supply of Legal and Related Services” that 79% of people in Hong Kong did not know what to do when faced with a legal problem and that 40% of respondents for that survey had a legal problem. Using these numbers, we estimate that the pool of disadvantaged people with a legal problem is 550,000, or thereabouts, and, of those, some 440,000 do not know where to go for help.
And so the fact is that, for HK’s poorest people, the most disadvantaged people, there is a legal access gap. The people we serve are underprivileged and are often also very vulnerable. Typical legal problems include things like family matters, employment and discrimination, education, housing, immigration, criminal matters and sometimes, personal injury, healthcare, probate and of course increasingly online scams.
They extraordinary people face significant disadvantages due to a confluence of factors: the complexity of the legal system, a lack of financial resources and education, cultural and gender access to justice barriers as well as an absence of legal and digital literacy. Language barriers can actually be a major barrier. Limited financial resources restrict people’s access to private legal representation. Lack of education and awareness about their rights further exacerbates the issue they face, making them vulnerable to exploitation and unfair treatment. There are also some systemic biases within the legal system can also disproportionately affect marginalised communities.
The government services and clinics may not always provide interpreters to non-Cantonese or non-English-speaking people, which can really complicate access to information, advice and/or representation. There are also Cultural stigmas around legal action, particularly in family or employment disputes, which can make individuals not seek help early enough, which means there is an over reliance on informal networks rather than the formal legal channels. And all these mean that even if the legal problem is settled for now, the outcome is not legally enforceable and it means thee can be even more problems further down the line. Overcoming these barriers requires comprehensive legal aid, community outreach, and also we would hope for some systemic reforms to ensure equal access to justice.
Hong Kong has limited publicly funded community legal information and advice centres. While the Department of Justice, the legal professional bodies, the Duty Lawyer Service and the Legal Aid Department provide some support, this does not cover all cases. In fact, it also only addresses cases once a person is able to identified and not everyone knows that the problem they have has a legal solution, let alone being able to name it and even to work out what to do about it.
Equal Justice fills this initial void by offering assistance in the early problem identification phases, helping with settlement to avoid stressful and costly court proceedings, linking disadvantaged people to lawyers and helping them throughout their case journey so they are supported, can understand what is going on and can navigate the system well enough to make informed decisions. And why? To ensure that they avoid any further hardship and specifically poverty.
We provide legal first aid - to disadvantaged people - who cannot afford or otherwise access the law and legal support. We empower people and communities with legal education, information, and support, to ensure that justice isn’t just a privilege for the wealthy and well-connected. We give free, face-to-face, tailored legal information and support, and and also refer cases to lawyers and counsellors. So far, we have worked on 3,000 cases, and we’re just 5 years old. Ad the people we help are 50% women, 30% children and 20% men.
When it comes to generalised legal support for Hong Kong’s disadvantaged population, organisations like Equal Justice and university clinics rely heavily on pro bono lawyers. But, demand often outstrips supply, especially for time-intensive cases like child abuse or neglect, intimate partner violence, discrimination and family disputes.
We have partnerships with 100+ amazing law firms and 54+ charities are robust but may not be able to scale given the widespread needs that we are already experienced. And our caseload has increased ~40% each year for the last 3 years, which is quite significant.
In March 2025, rather wonderfully, the HK Bar Association announced that they will be partnering with Equal Justice and 3 other NGOs more closely to bridge the community legal access gap. This is a very welcome endorsement.
主持人:Christina Y W Chua
Dear Parents,
As we navigate the complexities of raising children in today's fast-paced world, it's essential to stay informed about the support systems available to promote their mental well-being. Since its establishment in 2000, The CEO Foundation has been committed to enhancing lives in Hong Kong and China, particularly through mental wellness initiatives. In 2018, we proudly launched a new endeavor focusing on Animal-Assisted Service (AAS), which harnesses the unique bond between humans and dogs to foster emotional resilience and personal growth.
Our therapy dogs, known as Social Work Canines, are more than just pets; they are pivotal partners in providing support and enhancing the emotional experience of our beneficiaries. These specially screened and trained dogs work alongside their owners and bonded handlers, engaging with diverse groups, including children, teens, and the elderly. Our initiative aims to create a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can find comfort and companionship during their most challenging moments.
In recent years, our community has faced significant mental health challenges, particularly among primary and secondary school students. Research from the last decade indicates a concerning trend in the mental wellness of our youth. According to data collected by the Hong Kong Student Mental Health Survey, approximately 24% of primary school students reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety, while this number rose to about 30% among secondary school students. This spike reflects the mounting pressures students face from academic expectations, peer interactions, and social media influences.
Perhaps even more troubling is the report to suicidal ideation among students. Over the last decade, the number of reported suicide cases among adolescents has increased, with the Hong Kong Mental Health Association noting a rise of 20% in the past five years alone. Moreover, data reveals that approximately 10% of students have considered taking their lives during their formative years, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to bolster mental health support.
Among youth, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) has become increasingly prevalent. Recent studies show that around 15% of adolescents in Hong Kong exhibit signs of SAD, creating barriers to healthy peer relationships and academic success. Additionally, conditions such as bipolar disorder and depression are affecting students at alarming rates, with recent statistics indicating that nearly 25,000 young people receive treatment for psychosomatic disorders each year.
In response to this escalating mental health crisis, The CEO Foundation initiated the HI (Human-Animal Interactive) Partner Program, a pioneering approach that utilizes the therapeutic benefits of AAS. Through our program, we aim to provide a multi-faceted support system for individuals across all age groups.
The presence of therapy dogs can alleviate anxiety and promote emotional healing in children and teens. Studies show that interactions with Social Work Canines can lead to lowered stress levels, increased feelings of happiness, and enhanced social interactions. These dogs offer kids a loving, non-judgmental source of comfort, allowing them to express themselves without fear.
For the elderly, the companionship of therapy dogs has proven to enhance their quality of life by reducing feelings of loneliness and providing motivation for physical activities. The HI Partner Program ensures that individuals from diverse backgrounds can access the mental health support they need through loving interaction with our Social Work Canines.
As we move forward, we invite you to partner with us in this important journey. Let’s come together as a community and advocate for mental wellness among our children and youth. By fostering connections through the amazing bond between humans and animals, we can help reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and ultimately create a brighter future for our next generation.
We look forward to sharing more about the HI Partner Program and how you can get involved in supporting our mission to enhance mental wellness throughout Hong Kong.
Lastly, I would like to dedicate a song "You've got a friend" by Carole King, thanks and enjoy.