The 43-year-old man who allegedly killed his wife and two daughters last Saturday appeared in court yesterday facing three counts of murder. The judge, however, deferred the hearing to Thursday.

Meanwhile, the government has vowed to extend support for domestic violence victims following the gruesome murder of mother and two daughters in Lok Fu.

The 43-year-old man defendant, Lau Kin-lam, appeared in the Kwun Tong Magistrates Court yesterday. No pleas were entered.

The court ordered him to be remanded in custody until next hearing on Thursday, as police were waiting for the post-mortem reports.

Lau allegedly killed his 48-year-old wife, his 20-year-old step daughter and 9-year-old daughter at their at Hong Keung Court in Lok Fu on Saturday. He was arrested at the scene after police received a report on Saturday morning. An axe and a hammer were also found in the flat.

The schools that the girls attended described them as good students. Yesterday morning education officials visited the schools they attended to offer counselling, as teachers convened a special meeting to break the news. The school also held memorial services.

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) yesterday expressed deep concern over the family tragedy in Lok Fu last Saturday. The department reiterated that it would strengthen its 24-hour hotline and other services for victims of domestic violence.

The government has reviewed the Domestic Violence Ordinance and made a series of proposed amendments, the department said. The government is now proceeding with the final consultation on the amendments and aims to table an amendment bill this legislative year.

The SWD also emphasized that its social workers would follow up on divorce cases until the parties involved receive accommodation and the government offers assistance to divorced couples in housing.

Legislator Fernando Cheung, however, said that the SWD had not made efficient use of the quota given by the Housing Authority for such purposes, as only 100 out of the 2000 available apartments in public housing were given out last year.

"The government should consider providing half-way accommodation for families that are waiting for permanent housing," said Virginia Ip, Housing Authority Committee member.

However, the Harmony House, a social service group for victims of domestic violence, pointed out that early prevention of domestic violence might be achieved through coordination between the Social Welfare Department, police and local service groups and medical professionals.

Margaret Wong, Executive Director of the Harmony House, urged the government to rethink its approach to prevention of domestic violence.

"The government would do well to strengthen the 24-hour-hotline by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and provide additional resources for refuge centres for women, but the number of cases are simply too big to tackle through such limited channels," said Wong.

Wong suggested that the SWD should integrate its hotline with the hotlines by local service groups and coordinate the various refuge centres in the community, so that the services become accessible to different sections of the public.

"It's essential for the families in need to get help in an early stage, since it's often too late by the time they get to the police," said Wong. "We can't expect the police to identify cases of domestic violence and refer them to the SWD, since they aren't professionals in this regard."

Wong remarked that in many overseas countries, police officers visit the scenes of suspected domestic violence with social workers and even medical professionals, so as to make immediate referrals or transfers.

"There can be trials at police stations in certain districts especially after frequent reports of domestic violence in Hong Kong. It can help ease the burden of the SWD too, if it proves to be feasible," said Wong.