Forum on Criminal Justice Response to Sexual Violence
Co-organised by
Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women (ACSVAW) ｜ Center for Comparative and Public Law (CCPL), HKU
Description
Sexual offences in Hong Kong continue to fall short in delivering justice for victim-survivors and holding perpetrators accountable in numerous sexual assault cases that occurred in the territory. Statistics from sexual violence crisis centre RainLily between 2019-2023 show that less than half (41.4%) of the victims reported their cases to the police. Among the cases that were reported, only 6% of the accused were convicted in their first trial. These statistics reflect the failure of our criminal justice system in upholding justice for victim-survivors of sexual violence. There is a pressing need for legal reform, particularly on how rape and other non-consensual sexual offence are addressed.
The Law Reform Commission of Hong Kong (HKLRC) began its review process in 2006. After nearly two decades, the Policy Address this year has confirmed the government's commitment to action, pledging to actively study the final recommendations of HKLRC and aiming to complete legislative amendments to sexual offence law before its current term ends on 30th June 2027.
In light of this development, the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women (ACSVAW), in collaboration with the Centre for Comparative and Public Law (CCPL) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), is organising a sexual offence legal reform forum on Friday, 31st October 2025 at HKU. The event aims to foster meaningful dialogue between academics, legal practitioners, policymakers, advocates, and other like-minded professionals on how to improve our criminal justice response to sexual violence that truly aligns with the experience of victim-survivors.
Date
Friday, 31st October, 2025
Time
14:30 – 17:30 (tentative)
Venue
Academic Conference Room, 11/F, Cheng Yu Tung Tower, HKU
Agenda
14:30 - 15:00 ｜ Welcome and Opening Speech
15:00 - 16:00 ｜ Session I: Advancing Consent in Sexual Offence Law
16:15 - 17:15 ｜ Session II: Improving Criminal Justice Response to Persistent Child Sexual Abuse
17:15 - 17:30 ｜ Concluding Remarks and Closing
Language
Event conducted in English, with simultaneous interpretation available in Cantonese for speeches and panels only
Details
Session I
Advancing Consent in Sexual Offence Law
"Consent" is often a critical area of reform in sexual offence law. While HKLRC agreed there should be a statutory definition of consent, its recommendations based on the provision from English and Scottish law in the 2000s may not be adequate. Over the years, discussions surrounding sexual violence and consent have become significantly more nuanced, particularly following the #MeToo movement in the late 2010s. The voices of survivors have pushed forward legal reforms in different parts of the world.
Session I will evaluate HKLRC's proposal in comparison to more recent reform in other common law jurisdictions, and explore what further reform direction in "consent" should be included to truly bridge the gap between legislation and the actual experiences of victim-survivors.
Moderator
Prof. Puja Kapai Paryani
Professor Puja Kapai is an Associate Professor of Law, Convenor of the Women's Studies Research Centre and Founder of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging Lab (DEIJB Lab) at HKU. Her expertise lies in international human rights law, minority rights, and intersectional legal studies. Puja's research on racial equality, gender-based violence and children's rights has influenced policy and law reform in Hong Kong and been presented at United Nations expert meetings. She has received many international and local awards in recognition of her contributions and impact.
Speaker
Prof. Thomas Croft
Professor Thomas Crofts holds a joint appointment in the School of Law and Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences and is Associate Dean for Research and International Affairs in the School of Law at City University of Hong Kong, Adjunct Professor in the Sydney University School of Law and Queensland University of Technology School of Justice. His research in comparative criminal law, criminal justice and criminology focuses on criminalisation and criminal responsibility, particularly in relation to young people, gender, and sexuality.
Ms. Chelsea Ma
Ms Chelsea Ma is the Chairperson of Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women. A former practising barrister and currently the Principal Editor of a local law report, she is a legal advocate for sexual violence survivors. She has campaigned in significant legal reforms over the years, including the 2018 amendment of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance to improve the court protection measures provided to sexual violence victim-survivors, and the 2021 legislation of voyeurism and intimate image abuse offences.
Session II
Improving Criminal Justice Response to Persistent Child Sexual Abuse
Persistent child sexual abuse is a unique form of sexual violence. Delayed reporting and stringent evidential requirements make it extremely difficult for survivors to seek justice within the criminal justice system. Meanwhile, the discussion of legal reform to tackle cases of such nature often raises a range of complex legal and evidentiary issues in criminal law.
Session II focuses on how Hong Kong can improve its criminal justice response to persistent child sexual abuse, by reviewing the limitations of our current legal framework and examining the experience from other jurisdictions.
Moderator
Mr. Azan Aziz Marwah
Mr. Azan Aziz Marwah is the current Chair of the Hong Kong Committee on Children's Rights, and acts as honorary legal advisor to Mother's Choice. Professionally, he is a barrister and mediator focusing on public and family litigation, especially cases involving child protection, custody, adoption, wardship, and abduction. He has drafted several Bills for debate before the Legislative Council, including the Protection of Children (General Amendments) Bill 2019. He is also author and editor of several legal texts and regularly lectures in law, history and medical ethics. He is a Lecturer at Hong Kong University and an elected member of the Bar Council.
Speaker
Prof. Amanda Whitfort
Professor Amanda Whitfort BA (Hons)(Monash), LLB(Monash), LLM(London), MSc (Edinburgh) was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in Victoria, Australia in 1995 and to the Hong Kong Bar in 2006. She has extensive practical experience in criminal law and prosecutions as a former member of the Office of Public Prosecutions in Melbourne.
Ms. Human Lam
Ms Human Lam is the Senior Public Prosecutor in the Department of Justice. She has served as a public prosecutor for more than 10 years. Since 2021, she has coordinated the Prosecution Division's Vulnerable Witness and Child Protection Task Force. Her main duties include prosecuting trials and appeals, including sexual cases, across all court levels.