Recent Hong Kong Child Sexual Abuse Research & Our Recommendations

Recent research conducted by Against Child Abuse (ACA) sheds light on a critical issue facing our society: child sexual abuse (CSA). The survey published March 2025, collected responses from 196 Hong Kong children aged 6 to 17 and 365 parents, reveals alarming statistics about the awareness and willingness to seek help among young victims.

According to the findings, of the 196 children surveyed, 41 children (21%) suspected they had been sexually abused. However, only 10 of these children (24%) sought help*, with half of those turning to their mothers for support. This stark contrast between the number of children who suspect abuse and those who seek help highlights a significant barrier: the fear and stigma associated with disclosing such experiences.

The Importance of Seeking Help

The reluctance to seek help can stem from various factors. Many children feel ashamed or believe that their situation will not be taken seriously. This is particularly concerning, as the trauma of sexual abuse can have long-lasting effects on a child’s physical and mental health. Without timely intervention, the psychological scars can persist into adulthood, affecting their overall well-being and development.

TALK’s Recommendations

In line with ACA’s own recommendations, we promote:

1. Increase Awareness: Many people in Hong Kong are not aware of the high prevalence of child sexual abuse in Hong Kong (21% in this survey).  Nor what CSA is: 34% of children said they were not aware of which acts constituted sexual abuse. Nor who does it: 80% of children and 87% of parents mistakenly thought strangers are most likely to be the perpetrators of abuse. In reality, perpetrators are often familiar to the child — including parents, relatives, older acquaintances, friends, or classmates. Better education is vital. Children and their caregivers need to understand what constitutes sexual abuse and feel empowered to speak out. Schools and community organisations must implement comprehensive programmes that teach children and caregivers about personal boundaries, online abuse, and the importance of seeking help.
2. Strengthen Primary Prevention: To effectively combat child sexual abuse, it is most important to enhance primary prevention—stopping abuse before it starts. This involves proactive measures aimed at educating parents and communities about the signs of abuse and the importance of creating safe environments for children to reduce opportunities for harm.  This is the key mission of TALK Hong Kong and you can learn more about our training here.
3. Strengthen Legal Protection: The current laws in Hong Kong do not reflect the current situation for children and the people who abuse them.  We must do better with regard to gender equality, sexual orientation equality, and online abuse.  Despite the Law Reform Commission’s recommendation for amended sexual offences, they have not yet been considered by LegCo since their 2019 publishing. We urge LegCo to speed this now many years long process for the safety of our children.  Here are some examples of the current laws that raise our concerns:
   1. Section 118C Homosexual buggery with or by a man under 16
      Section 118D Buggery with girl under 21
      (differs by gender & orientation)
   2. Section 123 Intercourse with a girl under 13
      Section 124 Intercourse with a girl under 16
      (no parallel crime for boys, meaning that females cannot commit this offense and would likely be charged with a lesser offense)
   3. There is no uniform age of consent
   4. There is no “grooming” offence
   5. The offence of incest is not gender neutral and does not cover uncles / aunts, nieces / nephews, or adoptive parents.
4. Strengthen Support Systems: 74 parents had suspected their children were sexually abused, but only 20 sought help from relevant departments or agencies. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in a child’s willingness to seek help. Initiatives that educate parents about the signs of abuse and how to respond effectively can create a more supportive environment for children. Encouraging open conversations about difficult topics will help destigmatize the issue.
5. Enhance Professional Training: Professionals who work with children—such as teachers, social workers, and healthcare providers—require ongoing training to recognise signs of abuse and respond appropriately. This ensures that children receive timely and sensitive support when they do disclose their experiences and that the opportunities for harm are reduced.
6. Implement Comprehensive School-Based Sex Education: It is recommended that the government implement a systematic sex education curriculum in schools based on the children’s psychological development and needs, including sex education for parents, so that children can learn in an age appropriate manner. Parents should also learn how to provide family sex education to their children and understand how to properly protect their children in the first instance and then help their children deal with suspected sexual assault incidents.  It is not the responsibility of children to keep themselves safe, but the responsibility of parents.
7. Improve the Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme: It is recommended that the government consider to allocate more resources to make the scheme statutory since it is currently voluntary only. Employers can decide whether to check conviction records of prospective or current employees and volunteers. Parents hiring private tutors, coaches, or carers should also be able to use the system and cannot currently.  However, we note that the annual rate of charges / convictions for sexual offenses is very small and the records check should not be relied on as the only source of safety.
8. Advocate for Harmful Sexual Behaviour Intervention: Hong Kong should implement harmful sexual behaviour intervention programs to proactively address and mitigate the risk of child sexual abuse. These programs can provide targeted support for individuals exhibiting harmful behaviors, helping them understand the consequences of their actions and guiding them toward rehabilitation. By focusing on prevention and intervention, these initiatives can reduce the likelihood of future offenses, protect vulnerable children, and foster a safer community. Additionally, such programmes can educate parents and caregivers on recognising early signs of concerning behaviour, ultimately creating a more informed and vigilant society dedicated to child protection.

Conclusion

The findings from ACA’s survey are a clarion call for Hong Kong to do more in the fight against child sexual abuse. By prioritizing primary prevention and fostering a culture of awareness, support, and open communication, we can empower parents to protect children from harm and children to seek help if abuse occurs. It is imperative that we work together—parents, educators, and policymakers—to ensure that children in Hong Kong are safe and supported.

* ACA confirmed these statistics 17 Apr 2025