22/05/2026
⚖️ Justice Prevails: A Landmark Victory for Domestic Violence Survivors
We are thrilled to share a significant legal milestone! HKDI, in collaboration with compassionate pro bono counsel, has successfully obtained leave from the High Court to apply for a judicial review in a deeply moving case.
💪🏻A Journey of Resilience
Our clients, a single mother and her young daughter from a Southeast Asian country, sought asylum in Hong Kong after enduring years of severe domestic violence and sexual abuse at the hands of their husband and father. Despite the Torture Claims Appeal Board (TCAB) accepting the horrific details of their abuse and acknowledging their severe trauma—including diagnoses of Complex PTSD—their initial claims for non-refoulement protection were refused.
🙌 Standing Together When it Matters Most
The road to justice was fraught with challenges:
🔹Immediate Representation: After legal aid was initially refused and their subsequent appeal dismissed, HKDI stepped in to provide immediate and continuous legal representation.
🔹Trauma-Informed Care: Recognising the deep psychological scars of our clients, we guided them through the complex legal process using trauma-informed joint meetings.
🔹Pro Bono Partnership: This victory was made possible through the dedicated support of a compassionate pro bono counsel, Samantha Lau, who championed their cause in court.
🔹Holistic Support: Beyond legal aid, we prioritised the family’s well-being by facilitating prompt counselling services for the young daughter to support her recovery.
💫 A New Chapter
With the Court granting leave, the merits of their case are now clear, and we have filed a fresh application for legal aid to ensure they have the robust, publicly funded representation they deserve for the upcoming proceedings.
We remain committed to standing with survivors and advocating for a more compassionate and just asylum system in Hong Kong.
