The government on Wednesday said the number of domestic violence cases handled by social welfare officials has fallen in recent years, but there's been a rise in the number of children in need of protection.

In a written reply to lawmakers, welfare minister Chris Sun said that overall, domestic violence cases dropped by 13.5 percent from 2019 figures, to nearly 3,400 last year.

But child protection cases rose by 45 percent in the same period, to more than 1,450.

These cases were referred to the Social Welfare Department for follow-up action after reports were filed to the police.

Sun said for cases considered to be high risk by police officers, the department makes a crisis intervention and provides a wide range of support, including psychological help, as well as centres for family crisis support, refuges and residential and daily child care.

He added that some people who refuse help are given a card with the details of other places they can seek assistance.

There are promotional campaigns from the department and the police encouraging people to seek help early and avoid resorting to violence, the minister said.