Recent data reveals an urgent safeguarding crisis in our community: one-third of all reported child sexual abuse in Hong Kong is peer-to-peer. To address this challenge, TALK Hong Kong is hosting a high-level HSB Professional Learning Day on 19 September 2026 to bridge the gap between international research and localised clinical, legal, and systemic frameworks. This practical forum is specifically designed for psychologists, social workers, front-line workers, and lawyers tasked with creating treatment pathways, navigating juvenile justice pathways, and managing the mandatory reporting ordinance.
To ensure we provide a safe, highly focused space where we can tackle these difficult topics together, places are reserved for active clinical, legal, and policy professionals rather than general audiences. If you are navigating these complex cases in your daily practice, your voice is incredibly vital—please register your interest below to help us shape the agenda and secure early access to our upcoming HSB resources.
Date: 19 September 2026
Time: 09:30 – 16:30
Venue: WYNG Commons, Central, Hong Kong
Facilitators: Taura Edgar & Jaap Marsman, with guest Eli Miller from Australia
Event Overview
This professional learning day is organised by TALK Hong Kong to address a critical and urgent safeguarding challenge in the local community: our recent data reveals that one-third of all reported child sexual abuse in Hong Kong is peer-to-peer. Those at risk of harming with Problematic Sexual Behaviour (PSB) or Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) need our support to safeguard others and themselves.
This cross-sector event invites a diverse group of front-line practitioners—including social workers, psychologists, counselling professionals, academics, and justice system representatives—to bridge the gap between international academic research and practical, localised intervention. The curriculum transitions from foundational concepts of childhood sexual development to complex multi-agency legal and systemic pathways, culminating in actionable strategies for tertiary prevention.
Schedule
| Time | Session Title & Format | Speakers & Contributors | Core Focus & Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Arrival, Registration & Refreshments | Welcome coffee, tea, and initial cross-sector networking. | |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Opening Remarks & Local Context: Why We Are Here | Taura Edgar Founder, TALK Hong Kong & Jaap Marsman TALK Advisor, Research & Education & Eli Miller, Principal Practitioner ‑ Sexual Assault, Mallee Sexual Assault Unit ‑ Mallee Domestic Violence Services | Grounding the day in Hong Kong’s safeguarding data (1/3 of abuse is peer-to-peer). Framing the objective of creating unified, evidence-based responses. Quick sharing from Victoria AU process of referring children for treatment. |
| 10:15 – 11:15 | Session 1: Age-Appropriate vs. Problematic Behaviour (Children ≤ 12) | Genevieve Naquin Author: Addressing Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Children: How We Can Help (Live Online from US) | Mapping the continuum of healthy childhood sexual development versus Problematic Sexual Behaviour (PSB) in young children. Including considerations for neuroatypical children. Working with young people in a therapeutic setting. Interactive Q&A |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Morning Tea Break | Short break for refreshments and informal discussion. | |
| 11:30 – 12:30 | Session 2:Interactive Presentation — Front-line HSB Intervention & Frameworks | Ross Sargeant (Live Online from AU) | Online treatment frameworks, helpline triage workflows, and lessons learned from implementing their programme. Interactive Q&A |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | In-House Networking Lunch | All Participants | Catered lunch provided on-site. Formally structured to facilitate peer-to-peer introductions, inter-agency rapport, and cross-sector relationship building. |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Discussion Groups: Designing the Hong Kong Pathway | Track Facilitators (See breakdown below) | Concurrent action-learning breakout tracks to address local structural, ethical, and legislative realities. |
| 14:40 – 16:00 | Session 3: International Expert Keynote — Adolescence & Neurodiversity | Stuart Allardyce Co-Author: Harmful Sexual Behaviour and Autism (Live Online from UK) | Deep dive into evidence-based treatment strategies for adolescents (aged 12 and over). Specialised focus on clinical approaches for managing HSB within neurodiverse populations, specifically youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Interactive Q&A |
| 16:00 – 16:30 | Plenary & Next Steps: Moving Beyond the Day | Taura Edgar & Jaap Marsman | Synthesising findings from the breakout groups. Defining concrete cross-sector action plans. Launching online collaborative spaces to keep this professional infrastructure active and integrated. |
Breakout Workshop Tracks: Operational Focus
Participants will break out into three focused tracks designed to formulate local solutions to complex practical challenges:
- Track A: The Justice System & Therapeutic Pathways
Facilitator: Nicklaus Pannu-Yuon, Barrister-at-law
Operational Focus: Thinking through a restorative pathway for treatment of individuals exhibiting PSB / HSB. Considering Hong Kong’s juvenile justice, court, and disciplinary frameworks. - Track B: Mandated Reporting & Supporting Young People
Facilitator: Jaap Marsman
Operational Focus: Professionals will discuss and look at how to maintain supportive environments for young people while remaining compliant with Hong Kong’s mandatory reporting ordinance. - Track C: Building Therapeutic Knowledge
Facilitator: Eli Miller, Principal Practitioner ‑ Sexual Assault, Mallee Sexual Assault Unit ‑ Mallee Domestic Violence Services
Operational Focus: Discuss front-line HSB treatment and what foundational knowledge supports young people? Practical steps to expand your therapeutic skills in HSB treatment and clinical supervision.