By Chris Hogg BBC correspondent in Hong Kong

The statistics for the first six months of this year show that reported acts of violence between couples were up 40% on the previous year.

Social welfare organisations have blamed the pressure caused by the territory's economic difficulties for the increase.

The figures paint a picture of a society where the pressure on couples is ratcheting up.

In the first six months of this year, there were 1,075 violent incidents between partners reported to the police.

Last year there were just 767 reported during the same period.

Unemployment was and still is at record levels.

Social welfare groups say that jobless men forced to spend more time at home can find the pressure unbearable.

Even if this is not the sole reason they lash out, it is often an important factor.

It is not clear, of course, how much of the increase is due to a greater willingness by victims to report such incidents.

But this is a trend that has been seen for at least two years now, and one which is causing the authorities a great deal of concern.