Husband abuse rises in Hong Kong

Government figures in Hong Kong have revealed a surge in domestic violence by wives against their husbands.

The number of reported cases of husband-battering has more than quadrupled in the past four years and social workers have seen a marked increase in recent months.

A spokeswoman for a families' charity said many women became violent when their husbands could no longer provide the financial support necessary to maintain their wives' lifestyles, as Hong Kong experienced an economic slump.

She said other women wanted revenge for their partners' extra-marital affairs.

However, the abuse of women by their husbands remains far more common.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service