Hong Kong’s animal welfare laws fail to meet modern demands, experts say

In the past six years, the number of child sexual abuse cases in Hong Kong has surged by 60 percent, according to a local NGO. The Against Child Abuse (ACA) organization released this data during a press conference, urging for stronger evidence-based child protection measures. The organization reported that the rate of child abuse rose from 0.92 cases per 1,000 children in 2020 to 1.54 cases per 1,000 children in 2025, a significant 67 percent increase.

For the first time in over two decades, the number of child sexual abuse cases matched that of physical abuse cases against minors. In 2025, there were 501 recorded cases of child sexual abuse, matching the number of physical abuse cases. This sudden rise in child sexual abuse cases has been attributed to several factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic, economic downturn, shifts in parenting styles, and recent legislation like the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance.

However, the chief concern for ACA is the involvement of online activities in these cases. Patrick Cheung, the chairperson of ACA, highlighted that perpetrators often use the internet for child sexual abuse, particularly through online grooming of minors.

Experts agree that child abuse can lead to long-term harm in various aspects of a child's life. Studies have shown that survivors of child abuse are at a higher risk of obesity, inflammatory responses, and difficulties with self-regulation due to potential brain development issues. Moreover, family dysfunction, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has become a significant problem.

Children staying at home for schooling have experienced diminished family bonding and inadequate parental support, increasing the risk of child abuse.

The NGO Against Child Abuse called for a multi-pronged approach to tackle child abuse, including raising awareness about its long-term consequences and increasing sensitivity towards high-risk families. They also supported the introduction of an offence for persistent child sexual abuse in upcoming sex law reforms. While discussing the issue of online child sexual abuse, ACA's Cheung suggested that the city should not simply ban children from social media but instead adopt a comprehensive approach.

This would include educating children on online safety and implementing protective measures on social media platforms.