Hong Kong's fourth annual SlutWalk stands against sexual violence

Hong Kong's streets might still be occupied by pro-democracy students, but another group of protesters will march today under the slogan "my body, my choice".

Organisers of the fourth annual SlutWalk - the local edition of an international event designed to raise awareness of "sexual, gender and body-based" violence - expect about 200 to 300 people to take part. Among the issues the walk will highlight are the abuse of domestic helpers and reports of sexual assaults on Occupy Central protesters.

The march begins in Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, at 2.30pm and will end outside police headquarters in Wan Chai.

The marchers will also stop in front of the agency that recruited Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, an Indonesian maid whose former employer will stand trial shortly accused of abusing her.

"We want to fight for a friendlier environment for the people who have experienced some type of abuse, and also to alert Hong Kong people for these issues," said social worker Listening Lee, a march organiser.

Reports of sexual abuse by anti-Occupy campaigners - including incidents caught on camera - have put the issues that the SlutWalk stands against firmly in focus.

"It's unbelievable and unacceptable. We are very concerned about sexual violence being used to dissuade protesters from coming out," Lee said. "We want them [the victims] to know that they are not alone."