Sexual Harassment

 

What is sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is constituted when any person carries out an offensive act in an unwelcome sexual manner towards others, causing the latter to feel uncomfortable, humiliated, intimidated or disrespected. There are no gender restrictions in sexual harassment. Persons of all genders can be harassers and victims.


 

Sexual harassment includes but is not limited to

  • Unwelcome request for sex

  • Unwelcome bodily contact

  • Verbal sexual verbal harassment

  • Act of sexual gesture

Scope

According to the Sex Discrimination Ordinance of Hong Kong, sexual harassment contravenes the law and is of civil nature.

Sections on sexual harassment do not apply to all areas. The application is limited to

  • Employment area For example, colleagues, applicants (including internship position), contractual workers, domestic helpers, etc.

  • Education area Between staff members and students, among students, etc.

  • Provision of goods, facilities or services area Including between providers and users of goods and services, for example between shopkeepers and customers, coaches and apprentices

Sexual harassment or indecent assault?

Some sexual harassment behaviour constitutes criminal nature at the same time, such as indecent exposure of any part of body, clandestine photography or filming, and unwelcome bodily touch.

 
 

What can I do if I encounter sexual harassment?

Stop the harasser immediately and express your stance

Clearly express your feeling to the harasser and state that his or her behaviour is unwelcome. Request him or her to stop.

Seek help

Communicate the incident to someone who can provide emotional support or advice. You may also seek help from professional counsellors and obtain information about informal or formal complaints procedures.

Record information

Record the date, time, venue, witness and details (what was said and done by the harasser) of the sexual harassment as well as your response to facilitate the lodging of a complaint subsequently.

Complain to company, institute or school management

In order to protect employees, employers/ management have the obligation to establish and execute informal and formal complaints procedures in order to handle sexual harassment complaints.

Complain to the Equal Opportunities Commission

The Equal Opportunities Commission is responsible to handle complaint cases related to sexual harassment. Complainants must lodge the complaint to the Equal Opportunities Commission within 12 months after the incident.

Anti-Sexual Harassment Hotline: 2106 2222

Email: [email protected]

SMS information service: 6972566616538 (for persons of hearing/speech impairments)

Commence civil proceedings

Should you wish to claim via civil proceedings, you shall make the application to the District Court within 24 months after the incident for the Court to resolve the matters. You are advised to obtain legal advice from lawyers. If there are financial difficulties, you may consider seeking free or subsidised legal support service from the Legal Aid Department, Duty Lawyer Service or Hong Kong Bar Association.

 

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