Hong Kong — 04 December 2025
TALK Hong Kong today released Magnitude of Child Sexual Abuse in Hong Kong: Review of Evidence 2015–2024, a comprehensive analysis of ten years of available child sexual abuse (CSA) data in Hong Kong. The findings reveal a striking and urgent reality: while official reports remain extremely low, the true scale of harm may be far greater.
Based on a systematic review of international data and statistics obtained from the Social Welfare Department, Hong Kong Police Force, Department of Justice, Education Bureau, Correctional Services Department and two NGOs, our report estimates that 16% of Hong Kong’s child population may experience sexual abuse—affecting 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 9 boys. Despite these shocking statistics, government departments recorded an average reporting prevalence of only 0.05%, indicating that up to 96% of cases may never reach authorities. This gap points to layers of stigma, fear, social taboos and structural barriers that prevent children and families from coming forward.
Data from the Social Welfare Department (SWD) show an average of 372 CSA cases a year, with 86% of victims being girls, 93% of perpetrators being male, and 75% of victims aged between 12 and 17. In 2024 alone, the report highlights that ~29% of reported victims were neurodiverse, reinforcing international research that neurodivergent and disabled children face significantly elevated risk. One in three persons who harmed was recorded by SWD as a friend / schoolmate or peer, underscoring the urgent need for child‑centred, therapeutic responses to Harmful Sexual Behaviour rather than punitive approaches.
“What we are seeing is a system in which the majority of harm remains hidden,” said Taura Edgar, Founder of TALK Hong Kong and lead author of the report. “Behind every statistic is a child, and behind every unreported case is failure to provide safety, support and justice that they deserved. We can prevent child sexual abuse, but only if we confront the scale of the issue and address the barriers that keep children silent.”
Our report also identifies serious gaps in the availability and consistency of governmental data, including the absence of accessible hospital data, limited insights into perpetrators across agencies and a lack of reporting on child sexual abuse material, despite rising global concerns. TALK Hong Kong calls for a unified core dataset across departments, improved regulation of adults working with children, and Hong Kong–specific research on perpetration—critical for prevention but currently non-existent.
We also emphasise the importance of preparing for the 2026 Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, which is expected to significantly increase reporting. With proper training, system coordination and resources, TALK Hong Kong believes this legislative change can transform children’s safety across the city.
TALK Hong Kong’s prevention initiatives are designed to ensure that child protection education resonates with the cultural, social, and linguistic realities of Hong Kong, giving adults practical tools in their own language and grounded in the lived experiences of local families. By tailoring training and resources to address challenges such as cultural taboos around discussing abuse, language barriers, and the diverse environments in which children grow up, TALK Hong Kong equips parents, educators, and community members to recognise, prevent, and respond to sexual harm. Together, these initiatives foster a city-wide culture of prevention and protection, where every child in Hong Kong has the chance to grow up feeling safe, supported, and free from the trauma of abuse.
“Creating a safer Hong Kong for children requires collective responsibility,” Edgar said. “This report is both a wake‑up call and a roadmap. It shows the scale of the problem, but also the solutions—solutions that become possible when government, NGOs, educators, professionals and communities work together. Prevention is possible. But we must act now.”
You can find the full report here https://www.talkhongkong.org/research/magnitude-of-csa-in-hong-kong-review-of-evidence/
If you wish to support research, prevention and survivor services, you can donate at:
https://www.talkhongkong.org/give/
About TALK Hong Kong
TALK Hong Kong is a dedicated charity focused on preventing child sexual abuse and supporting survivors through research, awareness, and education. Founded in 2019, TALK Hong Kong combines the experiences of survivors and professionals to create impactful training programmes and resources aimed at empowering adults to stop abuse before it happens.