Hong Kong churches have been urged to broaden the implementation of anti-sexual harassment policies to better protect members after a survey found signs of spiritual leaders mishandling complaints, including downplaying incidents.
A survey by the Hong Kong Christian Council’s Gender Justice Ministry also identified at least 69 victims who reportedly experienced varying degrees of sexual harassment over the past two decades, including three who were aged 13 to 15 at the time.
The findings were released on Monday amid a public consultation on reforms to sexual offences laws, which will include new offences covering non-consensual acts.
Jessica Tso Hiu-tung, the council’s executive secretary who led the survey, said there was a “systemic issue” in how churches handled complaints, based on 94 responses received over the past year.
“The penalty could just be having the [alleged perpetrator] resign,” she said. “Or, the victim just received a ‘prayer of sympathy’ and that was it. But the churches were not aware that apology was only the beginning to make amends.”
Doris Chong Tsz-wai, executive director of the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women, said victims found it particularly difficult to report abuse that took place within the church because the perpetrator was an authority figure who often enjoyed a good reputation in the community.