Why Hong Kong needs to join the #MeToo movement against sexual predators

Alfred C.M. Chan says conservative Hong Kong has remained a silent onlooker as victims worldwide called out abusers of power. But sexual harassment, job-related in particular, is deeply rooted and can only be ended with a joint community effort

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A protester displays the message at a gathering against gender-based and sexual violence, in Paris on October 29, as part of the global “#MeToo” campaign. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:18pm, 28 Nov 2017Updated: 7:05pm, 28 Nov 2017

The #MeToo global social media movement, triggered by allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, generated little noise in this part of the world. A district councillor who shared her account of being sexually harassed with an online newspaper was even criticised for joining the “Me Too” conversation to gain publicity.

But, then, sexual harassment has never been an easy topic to discuss. On the one hand, as a product of power imbalance, it instils fear in the victims, the powerless, who are often afraid to speak up and seek help. On the other, it involves the taboo-bound subject of sex that many prefer not to have to deal with. That also partly explains why Hong Kong, still quite conservative when it comes to talking about sex, has remained a silent onlooker in the “Me Too” movement.

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But just because people feel uncomfortable talking about sexual harassment does not mean we should shelve the issue. In recent years, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has conducted a number of surveys to gauge the scale and severity of sexual harassment in various industries and sectors. The results have consistently shown that it is a deeply rooted problem. Data from the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women, an NGO, also points to a similar trend.

Just because people feel uncomfortable talking about sexual harassment does not mean we should shelve the issue

The women’s rights group said it would mark the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, on November 25, with a #MeTooHK campaign, as a continuation of the global #MeToo movement. We are glad Hong Kong is having its own dialogue about sexual harassment, as there is a lack of understanding about this in society.

In Hong Kong, sexual harassment and victimisation resulting from it are unlawful under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, which protects both women and men. Being the public body responsible for implementing the four anti-discrimination laws, the EOC handles inquiries and complaints about sexual harassment. Last year, we received over 100 such complaints, and aimed to resolve them through conciliation or legal proceedings.

To raise awareness, the EOC provides training for establishments where sexual harassment is more common, that is, companies and schools. This strategy is supported by complaint statistics which suggest that most cases are employment-related.

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SlutWalk participants march from Causeway Bay to Chater Garden in Central, to demonstrate against the tendency in society to explain away or excuse sex crimes by referring to a woman’s appearance, in October 2014. Photo: Sam Tsang

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