Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women's Statement on the recent accusations against police's use of sexual violence

The Association has issued the following statement regarding a public accusation made by a female university student on the police's use of sexual violence against her and other arrested individuals, and the police's later social media response stating that they did not receive any related complaints and calling on victims to 'provide concrete evidence':

The Association considers any humiliating acts performed on the body as a means of intimidation or punishment to deprive one's right to political participation unacceptable. The behaviours described in that public accusation have constituted sexual offences, the police authority should follow up on the case in the format of a criminal investigation instead of a complaint against the police. Following the victim's endeavours in making the experience public, the police should bear the responsibility in collecting the 'concrete evidence' as a law enforcement agent to prove whether the case is reasonable. However, under the present reality of the public's severe lack of confidence in the police, the Association demands an independent inquiry to be launched to prevent an investigation that is regarded with suspicion, and to ensure fair treatment for both the victims and the accused officers.

The Association has also been aware of suspicions against the victim from the public, which has resulted in conducting background search and making moral criticism on the victim. It should be emphasised that victim-survivors' personality or prior sexual experience is irrelevant to the credibility of the sexual violence incident, and that the perpetrator is the one who should be held responsible for it. The Association would also stress that diverting censures and criticism to the victim would not only bring secondary trauma to them, it would also discourage other victim-survivors of sexual violence to disclose their experience. The Association, therefore hopes that the public could stop the blame and judgement towards those who experienced sexual violence and instead, be empathic towards their feelings and needs, and also respect their choice on whether to report the incident to police.