Youth Street Violence Study and Evaluation on F.O.C.U.S. Intervention Strategy in Hong Kong

Mr Chan Man Ho, Wilson Chan1, Ms Siu Chui, Bob Lee1, Ms Ka In Wu1, Mr Fong Wing, Elvis Ng1, Ms Tsz Yau, Connie Au Yeung1, Professor Wing Hong, Eric Chui2

1The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Youth Crime Prevention Centre, 2City University of Hong Kong, Department of Applied Social Sciences

Youth street violence has always been a significant problem across the globe. Violence between youth gangs and triads is also common. In 2015, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Youth Crime Prevention Centre collaborated with City University of Hong Kong to launch a research on street youth violence and jointly developed an evidence-based assessment tool as well as intervention strategy named “F.O.C.U.S.”, which aims at facilitating street youth to learn how to deal with conflicts, thereby preventing and reducing further violent behaviours.

F.O.C.U.S. is a localized, scientific and structured intervention strategy. F.O.C.U.S. represents the five major elements of counseling, namely “Family”, “Optimism”, “Cognition”, “Unity” and “Self-control”, which aims at enhancing the relationship between young people and their family members; facilitating them in managing stress with positive attitude; instilling their law-abiding values; connecting them to various support systems and expanding opportunities for them; as well as enhancing their self-control ability.

Training was delivered to the social workers on adopting F.O.C.U.S. to provide counseling to the street youth. A total of 120 youth who are at risk on street violence have received the F.O.C.U.S. intervention program. An evaluation research was conducted by City University of Hong Kong to assess the effectiveness of the intervention program for at risk youth. Results indicated that F.O.C.U.S. is effective in dealing with street youth violence in four dimensions, including improving family functioning; reducing bullying and violent behaviours; enhancing self-control ability, and changing their attitude toward crime involvement.


Biography:

Mr Chan Man-ho, Wilson, B.S.W (Hons), Postgraduate Dip. in Psychology, MSocS in Criminology, Accredited Mediator (Hong Kong/China), is currently Supervisor at The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Hong Kong, SAR. He is leading youth at-risk services and having 20 years’ experience on working with young offender, drug addict and delinquent youth. Wilson has a strong linkage with government and non-government organizations in Hong Kong, he is serving as member of Action Committee Against Narcotics for giving advises on anti-drugs issues. He has published books related to youth delinquency, violence, sexual crime, drug issue and cybercrime. Wilson has also been regularly interviewed by media on youth crime issues.

Ms Lee Siu-chui, Bob, is currently unit-in-charge at the Hong Kong Federation of youth Groups, Youth Crime Prevention Centre, Hong Kong, SAR. She has over 25 year’s social work practice experience working with family, children, delinquent youth, drug addict, and young offender. She is a member of Fight Crime Committee in Hong Kong. In addition, she is a social work field-work supervisor and registered as an Accredited Mediator in Hong Kong and China. Bob has published books on youth crime, youth law and drug addiction topics.

Ms Wu ka-in is an Youth Work Officer at Youth Crime Prevention Centre, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Hong Kong, SAR. Her area of expertise are delinquent youth, young offender, crime victim and drug abuser. Ka and her colleagues have obtained numerous funding to develop innovative services to address social issues, such as youth crime, re-offending prevention, drug addiction. She received her Master degree in Criminology and she was earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. In addition, she also a social work field-work supervisor and registered as a Global Career Development Facilitator in USA.