Security chief Lai Tung-kwok denies blaming rape victims
Women's groups have called on the security chief to apologise for suggesting women should drink less to avoid being raped
Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said on Thursday he had no intention of putting the blame on rape victims when he earlier suggested women should drink less to avoid being assaulted.
Lai is facing calls from outraged women’s groups to apologise over the remarks he made on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, he said some rape cases involved victims being raped after drinking a lot of alcohol and “so I would appeal that young ladies should not drink too much.”
On Thursday, Lai explained that these remarks were made in response to media inquiries and that he did not intend to lay responsibility on the victims.
“I had no intention whatsoever of putting the blame on the victims,” he said on Thursday afternoon.
“I really hope that if there are any victims, they will bravely come forward," he said. "Police will do their best to catch their attackers and bring them to justice.”