Hong Kong to criminalise child abuse and cyberflashing
SCMP · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong authorities said on Thursday, September 17, that they would legislate against persistent sexual abuse of children and the non-consensual online sending of genital images, commonly described as “cyberflashing”, after completing a public consultation. The Security Bureau said the new offence on persistent child sexual abuse would be included in an amendment bill to overhaul the city’s sex offence laws. Officials added that the consultation showed broad public support for measures to strengthen protection for minors and mentally incapacitated people from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Key Points
- In a consultation report published on Thursday, the Security Bureau said it would pursue both offences after gathering public views.
- The bureau said Hong Kong’s two professional legal associations expressed broad support for a dedicated offence targeting persistent child sexual abuse.
- Officials said they would study laws in other jurisdictions while drafting the offence, while preserving presumption of innocence and fair trial principles.
- The government said a review was needed to modernise sex offence laws, two decades after the Law Reform Commission formed a subcommittee in 2006.
- Advocates had pressed authorities to close a loophole because victims of years-long abuse often struggle to recall details of each incident.
Why It Matters
The proposed offence could change how long-running child sexual abuse cases are prosecuted in Hong Kong, where proving each alleged act in detail has been a major hurdle. Adding a specific law on cyberflashing also points to a broader update of sex offence rules to address abuse carried out through digital channels as well as in person.