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Sexual harassment and assault

Sexual harassment and assault
Latest news and features on sexual harassment and assault, including accusations of misconduct and developments in the #MeToo movement.
This handout photograph taken and released by the UK Parliament’s House of Commons on April 20, 2026 shows Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes a statement on the vetting procedure undertaken for the former UK ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, on April 20. Photo: AFP/House of Commons
Britain

UK PM Starmer faces vote on possible probe over Mandelson

Starmer’s Labour Party has ‌a large majority in parliament and could vote down the launch of an inquiry.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong urged to clarify consent in reforms to close sexual offence loopholes

Germany

German man accused of live streaming child abuse in the Philippines

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South Korea

How a dropped sex assault case cost an aspiring South Korean officer her life

Thousands sign petition demanding a new probe into the woman’s death after police dismissed her case, igniting public fury.

A petition urges a new investigation into a South Korean woman’s suicide after police dismissed her sexual assault case. Photo: Shutterstock
Law

Legal Tales | Being annoying is not just an annoyance, it’s harassment under tort law

Unlike Singapore and the UK, which have unified statutes that criminalise online harassment, Hong Kong uses various laws for different contexts.

Britain

UK PM insists he won’t resign over Mandelson scandal

Starmer’s remarks in parliament came as he faced fresh calls to step down over his admitted error of judgment in appointing Mandelson.

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Singapore

Singaporean man charged after viral Lucky Plaza assault on Filipino woman

He allegedly assaulted the woman while under conditional warning for a previous attack on her. Police said the pair knew each other.

A Singaporean man has been charged for assaulting a Filipino woman at a shopping centre in Singapore in an incident that went viral online. Photo: Handout
Harvey Weinstein

Weinstein preyed on aspiring US actress, court told in rape retrial

The Hollywood mogul took advantage of Jessica Mann by enticing her with a film role she had no chance of getting, prosecutors say.

Britain

Ex-official says he felt pressure from UK PM’s office to approve Mandelson

The statement by Olly Robbins, the foreign ministry’s ex-top official, comes as the Mandelson row continues to put pressure on Keir ⁠Starmer.

United States

Another Democrat, Betty Yee, exits crowded race for California governor

The former state controller, born to Chinese immigrants, had sought to become the first woman to lead California.

Betty Yee. Photo: AP
Britain

Starmer admits mistake appointing Epstein’s friend as ambassador as leadership teeters

UK prime minister, under pressure to resign by opponents, says officials did not tell him about Peter Mandelson’s failed vetting.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaving 10 Downing Street for a showdown in Parliament. Photo: AP
Britain

Allies back Starmer as Mandelson saga leaves UK leader fighting for his job

The British PM will address Parliament to defend his job amid growing calls to resign over the Mandelson scandal.

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Employers must tackle office culture as harassment complaints spike

Statistics point to a culture in which harassment is considered acceptable. Employers must make clear that misconduct will not be tolerated.

Britain

UK’s Starmer faces calls to resign as Mandelson scandal reignites

Crisis deepens as the UK government admits Starmer’s former ambassador to US was appointed despite failing security vetting.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) and his then-ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters
Britain

Epstein scandal: UK foreign ministry chief out over Mandelson vetting failure

PM Starmer is also facing calls to resign after it was revealed that his US envoy was appointed despite a failed security check.

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Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to the media at the airport in Doha, Qatar, on April 10. Photo: Reuters
Australia

Indian man charged with sexual assault of passenger on Singapore-Perth flight

If convicted of sexual intercourse without consent, the suspect faces a jail term of up to 12 years.

Indonesia

University of Indonesia suspends law students for sexually explicit group chat

The students are accused of having made vulgar and explicit sexual jokes about female peers and lecturers in an online conversation.

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Singapore

Malaysian man jailed in Singapore for raping, robbing Filipino helper

Harvin Velanggany also saw an Indian man, whose case is pending before the courts, allegedly assault the victim previously.

Singapore’s skyline. A man was jailed for raping a domestic worker in the city state. Photo: Reuters
Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein rape retrial begins in New York

The film mogul, who is accused of raping actress Jessica Mann, is being retried after a mistrial was declared last June.

Germany

‘Truly monstrous’: Germany jails Chinese student in Pelicot-like rape case

Zhongyi J. repeatedly drugged, assaulted and filmed his girlfriend, sedating her so heavily that her breathing repeatedly stopped.

Japan

Japan jails ex-teacher for sharing voyeuristic student images

He is the first among an alleged teachers’ voyeurism ring to receive a prison sentence in a high-profile case that came to light last year.

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Between July and December 2024, Ishikawa secretly took photos and videos of three female students at a junior school in Kanagawa, where he was working at the time, capturing images on his smartphone that included their underwear, and shared them via a social media group chat. Photo: Shutterstock
United States

Swalwell to quit US Congress following sexual misconduct allegations

Four ⁠women have accused the California Democrat of misconduct, ⁠including assault and harassment.

Once a leading candidate for California governor, Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign and then announced he would resign from Congress. Photo TNS
Donald Trump

Trump’s US$10 billion lawsuit against WSJ and Murdoch thrown out

US president says ⁠he plans to re-file lawsuit over an article about a suggestive Epstein birthday letter.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hongkonger arrested on suspicion of underage sex and scamming girls of HK$33,000

Suspect told girls they could earn money with ‘compensated dating’, only for him to have sex with them and extract cash using excuses, police say.

United States

Swalwell suspends California governor bid amid sexual assault allegations

Front-runner exits race as former staffers and fellow Democrats demand he also resign from Congress.

Eric Swalwell, who had been a front-runner for the governorship of ​America’s most populous state. Photo: TNS
United States

Sex assault claims against California governor hopeful under investigation

The Democratic congressman has been accused by several women of rape and sexual misconduct, which he denies.

US congressman Eric Swalwell speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington in June 2024. Photo: Reuters
Women and gender

Threat to women’s safety? Meta’s smart glasses stir privacy worries

United States

‘Never been friends’: Melania Trump criticises Epstein ‘lies’ in address

In a rare White House speech, the first lady denied being Epstein’s friend and called on Congress to hold public hearings for his victims.

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