Hong Kong sex assault cases rise almost 50 per cent in a decade as more MTR victims come forward
City sees nearly 47.8 per cent increase in cases over the past decade with most perpetrated by a stranger
The rising number of sex crimes reported in the city over the past decade suggests that while more victims are coming forward, they are reporting crimes perpetrated by strangers while staying silent when rape or assault is carried out by people they know.
The 47.8 per cent rise in cases of sexual violence over the last decade reflects a greater willingness by victims to report cases involving strangers, campaigners said.
A higher number of indecent assault cases perpetrated by strangers on the MTR contributed to the increase in reported cases, but instances involving family and friends were less likely to be reported, campaigners said.
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Of the sex crimes committed locally in 2005, 63 per cent were perpetrated by a stranger, with that percentage up slightly to 68 per cent last year.
She believed the number of rape and sexual assault cases was likely to be far higher because victims did not feel comfortable reporting such crimes perpetrated by people they know.
Wong runs Rainlily, a rape crisis centre and non-governmental agency affiliated with the association that offers a hotline for rape and sexual assault victims as well as rehabilitative support.