Submission of Consultation Paper on Image based Sexual Offences to HKSAR Government

Advocating for legal reforms on sexual offences is a challenging assignment in Hong Kong. The current laws have been in place for more than 60 years,and are in urgent need for reform.

Zonta Club of Kowloon made our submission to HK government's consultation paper on "Proposed Introduction of Offences on Voyeurism, Intimate Prying, Non-consensual Photography of Intimate Parts and Related Offences" in October 2020. Under a joint effort of the Advocacy Committee and Legal Committee, members agreed to advocate the following:

• Offenders should be prosecuted irrespective of their motives.

• For non-consensual photography of intimate parts, both "up skirting" & "down blousing" should be included.

• Offenders should not be allowed to argue on ground of reasonable excuse, as this would create ambiguity to escape conviction.

• The victims' consent would be required for the distribution of images of intimate acts.

• Once prosecuted, details of the offenders should be included in the "Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme". This would enable employers to check whether eligible employees have any criminal records of sexual offences for the protection of vulnerable people.