Sexist and outdated attitude
I refer to the report headlined, 'Dress soberly to beat MTR pests: police chief' (South China Morning Post, July 28).
As a frequent passenger on the MTR system in Hong Kong and a woman, I am incensed by the sexist, chauvinist and outdated advice and attitude displayed by the MTR District Commander, Senior Superintendent Noel Howcroft.
To advise female public transport patrons to wear more conservative clothing in order to combat MTR assaults, is basically perpetuating the theory that sexual assaults and harassment are the woman's fault. Sexual assault is the fault of the offender. It doesn't matter what the female is wearing or how she is behaving, a sick pervert is going to commit an offence no matter what. That's just common sense.
Perhaps instead of focusing the issue on the victims by dictating fashion sense, Mr Howcroft and the authorities should focus on the offenders and stress to the public the penalties meted out to those found guilty of harassment or of committing sexual assaults on the MTR.
FAWNIA CHANG Sha Tin
