Over 90% of public submissions support Hong Kong sexual offences reform, says security chief

Over 6,000 public submissions have overwhelmingly backed Hong Kong's sexual offences reform, according to the city's security chief. Security chief Chris Tang pledged to introduce a bill on the reforms to the Legislative Council within the year. The government has acknowledged public opinions on introducing a specific "persistent child sexual abuse" offense, with the Bar Association largely agreeing on the move.

The overhaul aims to introduce numerous new offenses to update Hong Kong's old-fashioned sex laws, including provisions for mentally impaired individuals, expanding rape scope, and redefining consent during sexual activity. Rights groups, including ACSVAW, have urged authorities to introduce a specific offense to tackle persistent child sexual abuse, arguing that the current laws fail to protect such survivors as they require victims to specify the exact date and location of each assault.

The government believes that a proposed list of 11 circumstances where victims would not be considered consenting is sufficient to address the matter. Tang emphasized that the government would submit the bill on the reforms to the Legislative Council this year, aiming to enact the legislation before the current administration's term ends in June next year.