Hong Kong courts urged to better protect witnesses in sex offence cases, after judge orders woman to face alleged attacker
- Last November, magistrate ordered removal of screen set up in court between defendant and woman he was accused of molesting
- Order sparked concern among lawyers and those helping victims of sexual offences, who note many jurisdictions grant ‘vulnerable individuals’ automatic rights
At West Kowloon Court last November, Magistrate Pang Leung-ting revoked the prosecution’s application to use the screen, saying there was a “right to confrontation” between the woman and a football coach, Wong Chi-wai, who was on trial for indecent assault.
Wong was acquitted on March 15 of molesting his female subordinate three times in 2021. The magistrate rejected the woman’s testimony, saying he believed she used to be in a complicated relationship with the man.
But his order to remove the screen sparked concern among lawyers and those helping victims of sexual offences.
Lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon said the ruling was wrong, as the witness was put under great distress and unable to make an “effective statement” in court.
She said the judge’s order was also “completely based on the defendant’s perspective”.