Hong Kong to legislate against persistent child sexual abuse and ‘cyberflashing’

The Hong Kong government has announced plans to introduce legislation targeting persistent child sexual abuse and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, commonly referred to as cyberflashing. The decision follows a public consultation process and feedback from the city’s legal community.

In a report released on Thursday, the Security Bureau confirmed that the government intends to incorporate these new offenses into an upcoming amendment bill designed to overhaul existing sex crime legislation. The bureau noted that the city’s two professional legal associations expressed broad support for creating a dedicated law to address persistent sexual abuse involving minors.

Regarding the proposed measures against persistent child sexual abuse, the Security Bureau stated that it would examine legal frameworks in other jurisdictions to develop targeted regulations. The bureau emphasized that the drafting process would prioritize the principles of the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial.

The proposed legislation also aims to criminalize the act of sending images of genitals to others online without their consent. This move is part of a broader effort by authorities to update the city’s legal response to evolving forms of sexual misconduct.

Article and image source: scmp.com