Sexual violence is happening here in Hong Kong. It happens all around us with the majority of cases by perpetrators the victim knows.
At The Women’s Foundation, we know the numbers.
We also know these are more than just numbers, they are people. People we all know.
Yet it’s an issue that we don’t discuss; it’s a violation that we fail to manage, whose perpetrators too often go free and whose victims are too often unsupported. It’s an issue we aren’t doing enough to address. There’s so much we need to do to educate people, to break taboos, to change policies, to provide better support, to improve legal protection. But first we simply have to make this issue a priority.
Numbers can blind us. Statistics may shock us, but it is only when we see them as real people that we can be spurred into action.
Know the numbers, but let’s make people count. #makepeoplecount
Any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting including but not limited to home and work.
Penetration – even if slightly – of any body part of a person who does not consent with a sexual organ and/or the invasion of the genital or anal opening of a person who does not consent with any object or body part.
Sexual activity with another person who does not consent. It is a violation of bodily integrity and sexual autonomy and is broader than narrower conceptions of “rape”, especially because (a) it may be committed by other means than force or violence, and (b) it does not necessarily entail penetration.
Any person who makes unwelcome sexual advances, or unwelcome request for sexual favors, to another person; or someone who engages in other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in relation to that other person. It also includes any person – alone or with others - who engages in conduct of a sexual nature which creates a hostile or intimidating environment for another person.
The use of social media and communication technologies for any of the following: sexual comments or advances; attempts to obtain a sexual act; unwanted sexual acts and / or sexual coercion.
A colloquial term referring to the action of placing equipment such as a camera or mobile phone beneath a person’s clothing to take a voyeuristic photograph without their permission.
If you still have questions, get in touch at makepeoplecount@twfhk.org.
TWF is advocating for a safer city, and one that is more supportive of people who experience sexual violence. See our action points here.
Know the numbers, but let’s make people count. #makepeoplecount
We’re very grateful to you and everyone else who has supported our #makepeoplecount campaign. A special thanks goes to:
PR Agency
Social Media Partner
Academic Partner
Creative Agency
Media Partner
Supporting Organisations & Groups
A warm thank you to the director of this video Yan Yan Mak and cinematographer Fisher Yu Jing-Ping for their invaluable support.