Group to give men accused of sex crimes free legal aid
A fiery political activist accused of rape and indecent assault last year - only for police to drop their investigation - plans to set up a support group for men who find themselves in a similar situation to his.
As People Power activist Edward Yum Liang-hsien plots his returns to the political front line, he says the group - to be launched later this year - will provide legal and emotional advice to men who face sex-crime allegations. Several of Yum's friends, including lawyers and people working in the youth services sector, will join the nascent organisation, he says.
'The law in Hong Kong tends to be more sympathetic towards women in these cases. Very often the man does not know how to protect himself under such circumstances,' said the 32-year-old, who is known as the 'Victoria Park Brother' for the outspoken views he regularly airs on the RTHK Sunday programme City Forum.
Yum was arrested on suspicion of rape and indecent assault in December and the story was covered heavily by the media. Arguments over the handling of his case also helped to fuel a power struggle within the League of Social Democrats. A faction led by legislators Wong Yuk-man who was the league's founding chairman, and Albert Chan Wai-yip, split from the league in January, and formed People Power.
Following an investigation police decided not to pursue charges against Yum, widely seen as a protege of legislator Raymond Wong Yuk-man and a rising star in the radical faction of the pan-democratic camp.
'During these months, I have talked to friends in the legal sector and learned that there are a lot of men facing the same situation as me. Some women will be very friendly to you and then suddenly report to the police the following day,' he said.
'Although you are proven innocent at the end of the day, the process is perplexing and intrudes on your personal and professional life. For example, if you are barrister and face such an allegation, nobody will appoint you as his counsel as long as the case is continuing. If you are a teacher, your career may also be affected.'
Yum said his group would be non-profit and give free legal advice.
Yum, who is heading People Power's strategy team in Kowloon East for November's district council elections, said he would clearly separate the group from his political activities.
Yolanda Ng Yuen-ting, a spokeswoman for the Women's Rights Association, said Hong Kong laws did not favour women in sex-related cases.
'Our legal system protects victims in sex crimes well, but it also ensures protects the rights of defendants. I can't see it as slanted towards females,' she said. Ng said that while there was a general need to campaign for men's rights, such as encouraging male victims in family violence cases to seek help, she said it was unnecessary for Yum to set up his group.
'I don't see men in Hong Kong are unfairly treated in sex-related criminal proceedings.'
