New South Wales

Hong Kong’s Urgent Need to Modernize Sexual Offence Laws

Hong Kong – As Hong Kong prepares for public consultation on reforming its Crimes Ordinance, a critical opportunity arises to address deeply outdated sexual offence laws that leave victims vulnerable in a rapidly evolving world. Recent events, including a disturbing deepfake pornography scandal at the University of Hong Kong involving over 20 students and teachers, have starkly exposed the legal gaps that urgently need to be addressed.

For too long, Hong Kong’s legal framework has relied on colonial-era statutes that define sexual violence thru a narrow lens. The current definition of rape, focused on non-consensual penetration between a male perpetrator and female victim, excludes a wide range of harmful non-consensual acts and fails to recognize same-sex assaults. Critically, the absence of a statutory definition of consent forces courts to interpret the law inconsistently, creating uncertainty and hindering justice.

This legal inadequacy extends to emerging forms of abuse.Practices like “stealthing” – the non-consensual removal of a condom – and the creation and distribution of AI-generated sexual images, as tragically demonstrated by the recent university scandal, fall through the cracks, leaving survivors without adequate legal protection.

A System Failing Survivors

The consequences of these outdated laws are devastating. RainLily, a local NGO supporting victims of sexual violence, reports that less than half (41.4%) of cases even reach the police. Of those reported, the conviction rate is a shockingly low 6.2%. Survivors frequently enough face significant barriers to seeking help, including fear of disbelief and revictimisation, leading to an average delay of over four years between the incident and reporting.

Law Reform Commission Proposals: A Necessary first Step

The Law Reform Commission has proposed vital changes, including a clear definition of consent as a “free and voluntary agreement,” replacing the outdated term “rape” with more extensive language, and recognizing new offences like sexual grooming. These proposals represent a crucial foundation for reform.

However, these changes are not enough. Hong Kong must move beyond patchwork fixes and embed these legal updates within a holistic system that prioritizes survivor empowerment and expands protection. A comprehensive overhaul is needed to ensure that the law reflects the realities of modern sexual violence and provides genuine justice for victims.

Keywords: Hong Kong, sexual assault, sexual offence laws, Law Reform Commission, deepfake pornography, AI, consent, RainLily, legal reform, sexual violence, crime ordinance.