RainLily x Best Actress

ONE out of SEVEN women in Hong Kong have experienced sexual violence. RainLily premiered ‘The Best Actress’ ad during this year’s Hong Kong Film Awards presentation ceremony, imploring all of us to step up against sexual violence. The three stories appeared in the ad are all real-life cases, including: child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, and workplace sexual harassment. 

Breaking the silence takes courage. It also requires our society to suspend disbelief and judgement, and to become a platform that encourages victims to voice out and seek help. Bystander indifference, the lack of sex education, the imbalance of power, and an arduous justice system are reasons why victims don’t come forward. Stepping up against sexual violence is everyone’s work, it’s time to make a change together. 

“Sexually assaulted by her respected teacher during high school. Live onward as if nothing had happened.” － The first story in the 'RainLily X Best Actress' video.

Analysis of underage sexual violence cases from RainLily has shown that 86% of help-seekers knew the perpetrator. Only 7.5% of cases sought help immediately, underage victims received help after 7 years in average.

To work against underage sexual abuse, we have to be better aware of possible characteristics of sexual abuse cases against children. Introducing gender equity into education is also essential on informing adolescents and children about body boundaries and mutual respect.

“Suffering from intimate partner sexual abuse. Put on a brave face for living” －The second story in RainLily's 'Best Actress' advert.

As defined by WHO, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) includes physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviours. Rape has taken up 1/5 of intimate partner sexual violence cases (involving current or former intimate partner, such as spouse or boyfriend) according to latest statistics from RainLily.

“Sexually harassed at work by her supervisor for many years.”－The third story in RainLily's 'Best Actress' advert.

Sexual harassment cases had reached new high in 2015-2017, which was 1.6 times of 2012-2014. 49% of victims share a workplace relationship with the perpetrators, 41% of cases happened at workplace.

Special thanks to Christine Au Yang, Women Helping Women Hong Kong (WHWHK), Cheil Worldwide, Salon Films