Survey Reveals High Prevalence of Sexual Violence Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals; Formal Help-Seeking Remains Critically Low
Quarks and the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women
Release Findings on the Experiences of Sexual Violence within the Transgender and Gender-Diverse Community
Hong Kong's outdated sexual offence laws continue to leave victim-survivors of all gender backgrounds vulnerable. Following the Security Bureau's announcement to review the city's sexual offence legislation in the first quarter of this year based on "gender-neutral" principles, the urgency for reform has never been greater. To further explore the prevalence of sexual violence against transgender and gender-diverse individuals and their perspectives on current legislation, Quarks and the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women (ACSVAW) conducted the "Survey on the Experiences of Sexual Violence Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals" between May and August 2025. The survey collected 108 responses, with 102 valid samples.
High Prevalence of Sexual Violence within the Community
The findings highlight a significant prevalence of sexual violence within the transgender and gender-diverse community, with 49% of respondents explicitly stating they had experienced such violence. Among the 50 respondents who shared their experiences, half had endured penetrative sexual assault, while 60% had experienced other forms of contact-based sexual assault. Furthermore, non-contact sexual violence, including verbal sexual harassment and image-based abuse, affected 90% of this group. The severity of these incidents is underscored by the fact that 52% of respondents noted their most serious experience involved repeated incidents, and 38% were under the age of 18 when the most serious incident occurred. Despite the gravity of these experiences, 68% of respondents did not seek immediate help from any individual or organisation.
Barriers to Formal Support and the Judicial System
The data indicates a profound lack of trust in formal support systems and the judicial process. Among those who did seek help, the majority chose to confide in friends or family at 38%, followed by 22% who sought counselling or mental health support. In stark contrast, only 4% reported the incident to the police and a mere 8% sought help from social service organisations. These figures reflect the extreme rarity of transgender or gender-diverse victim-survivors engaging with the justice system or formal support structures, suggesting that many remain isolated in the aftermath of violence.
Impact of Identity-Related Stress on Help-Seeking
Gender identity and its associated social pressures act as significant barriers to help-seeking. Nearly 70% of victim-survivors avoided seeking help immediately due to various deterrents, including a 40% fear of discrimination based on their gender identity and a 34% fear of being forced to reveal their identity against their will. Pervasive institutional discrimination and previous negative experiences have fostered a deep-seated mistrust of formal institutions. Respondents expressed specific concerns about being further bullied or having their identity exposed to family members without consent, making respect for privacy and guaranteed equal treatment critical factors in building the confidence required for survivors to come forward.
Widespread Support for Gender-Neutral Law Reform
There is, however, overwhelming community support for the Law Reform Commission’s proposed changes to the legal framework. Specifically, 93% of respondents support expanding the current definition of "rape" with a gender-neutral "sexual assault by penetration" offence to protect victim-survivors of all identities. Additionally, 96% support inclusive definitions of the vagina and penis that include surgically constructed genitalia, and 94% support the introduction of a new offence regarding "causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent." These reforms are seen as essential steps in protecting the sexual autonomy of all individuals regardless of their gender.
An Urgent Call for Systemic Reform and Support
In light of these findings, Quarks and ACSVAW are calling for urgent systemic changes to address this crisis. This includes the immediate implementation of gender-neutral sexual offence reforms and an increase in resources for gender-friendly support services. Furthermore, there is a pressing need for enhanced education and outreach within the transgender community and for their allies, alongside improved gender sensitivity training for frontline professionals such as law enforcement, social workers, and judicial staff.
Christine CHU of Quarks, stated: "The transgender community in Hong Kong remains excluded from current legal protections when facing the threat of sexual violence. In the absence of a gender recognition law, gender-specific legislation effectively leaves many victim-survivors with nowhere to turn. We urgently need a shift towards gender-neutral laws and a significant increase in gender awareness among frontline staff so that everyone can feel safe seeking help."
Cheryl Cheuk-yi YIP, Advocacy Officer of the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women, added: "Living free from the threat of sexual violence is a fundamental right that should belong to every citizen in Hong Kong. The law must not discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation. A society free from prejudice, supported by equal laws and a gender-friendly atmosphere, is the only way to provide the fertile ground necessary for victim-survivors to seek the justice they deserve."
ACSVAW and Quarks welcome the Administration's commitment to consult the public in early 2026 and look forward to the swift implementation of reforms that will provide genuine protection for all victim-survivors.
Please also refer to the full report (available in Chinese only)