Best defence against sexual abuse is awareness, and #MeToo has made a difference
Incidents such as the one reported show that society lacks awareness and knowledge in dealing with sexual abuse. Victims don’t often speak out for fear of being questioned and stigmatised. Moreover, there is a deep-rooted misconception that only females can be victims.
Hong Kong needs a strong feminist movement, and not just for its women
Whether it is workplaces or schools, the government should offer institutions greater subsidies and resources for more social workers to monitor the psychological situation of students and employees. Social workers are crucial to help relieve the negative emotions of victims and a trustworthy channel for reporting the case. In addition, institutions should be obliged to ensure the safety of members.
I urge for public cooperation to build a safe environment for future generations, with zero tolerance for sexual abuse.
Anfield Tam, Quarry Bay