There should be no further delay in implementing reform of sex crime laws
The wheels of justice have turned slowly over the past 20 years. Now is the time to act so that victims of these offences can report them with confidence
Hong Kong’s legal system in which bewigged barristers do battle in court has many benefits and has served the city well. But it often fails victims of sex crimes.
This has long been recognised. As a court reporter in the 1990s, I witnessed first-hand the trauma they face when reliving their ordeal in the witness box, facing the attacker across a courtroom.
Steps to create a less intimidating environment began with child victims. They were first allowed to give their evidence via television link in 1996.
Other measures, such as specially trained police teams, public awareness campaigns, child-friendly interview suites and changes to court procedures were also brought in around that time.
Over the years, progress has been made. But there is still much room for improvement. Sex crimes remain seriously under-reported, suggesting victims lack confidence in the system.
One of the biggest problems is that the laws themselves are outdated and no longer fit for purpose. That is why the government asked the Law Reform Commission to set up a subcommittee to review them in 2006.