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  1. The EOC Releases Guide for Law Enforcement Officers on Communicating with Persons with Autism

An image of a hand holding a photo of an eye with tearsIn the light of the wrongful arrest of a person with autism for homicide by the police earlier on, the EOC has recently developed a new publication, Autism: A Guide for Law Enforcement Officers Communicating with Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (the Guide) to provide reference for and enhance the sensitivity of police and other law enforcement officers in handling persons with autism spectrum disorders. Speaking at the press conference to announce the Guide on 3 November, EOC Chairperson Prof Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming explained the purpose of the publication: “Various cases in the past highlighted the need for greater understanding of autism and other mental disabilities, which are covered by the Disability Discrimination Ordinance, among frontline law enforcement officers. In view of this, the EOC has published the Guide to offer law enforcement personnel practical guidelines that can be applied in their work. We hope that it can help the officers carry out their duties more effectively while protecting the rights of persons with autism, and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The Guide will also serve as a blueprint based on which law enforcement agencies may develop their own guidelines and procedures, taking into account their operational needs.”

In compiling the Guide, the EOC has conducted extensive literature review and consulted individuals and organisations with relevant expertise and experience. The EOC also consulted various disciplined forces and the Independent Commission Against Corruption in the drafting process, who agreed on displaying the EOC promotional posters in their offices, including police report rooms and report centres. The posters will be printed with a QR code, so that law enforcement officers can access the Guide online easily by scanning the QR code with their smartphones. Meanwhile, the EOC will continue to provide training to the disciplined forces to prevent discrimination of any kind from taking place.

Read the press release on the announcement of the Guide
Read the Guide for Law Enforcement Officers Communicating with Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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  1. Speaking up for the Voiceless

An image of a woman sitting and reclining against a red wall, who is holding her head in her handsAs a marginalised group whose voice is small and whose needs are often neglected, people with intellectual disabilities deserve extra support and protection from discrimination and abuse. The welfare of this group has recently come under the spotlight when the superintendent of a care home for people with intellectual disabilities got involved in a sexual assault case. The certificate of exemption of this care home was eventually revoked by the Social Welfare Department after other irregularities in management and operation were detected.

The EOC is highly concerned about the treatment of people with intellectual disabilities, who are a protected group under the anti-discrimination legislation. In response to the aforementioned scandals and the loopholes in the current licensing system for care homes for these people, EOC Chairperson Prof. Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming wrote two articles, urging the Government to tighten up control over the operation and step up on-site inspection of care homes. He also asked the families of care home residents to stay alert to changes in the behaviour and emotions of the residents.

“It is absolutely intolerable for a superintendant to take advantage of/abuse any resident of the care home he/she manages. Any such act not only causes serious harm to the victim and his/her family, but also damages the public’s trust in the licensing system and the operators and employees of care homes,” Prof. Chan wrote.

In case of discrimination, including sexual harassment, people with disabilities or their families can file complaints to the EOC. The Sex Discrimination Ordinance protects both male and female from sexual harassment.

Read Prof. Chan’s articles on care homes for people with disabilities

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  1. Ladies’ Night Doesn’t Sound Quite Right

EOC publication Sex Discrimination Ordinance & IOn 27 October 2016, the District Court concluded the Yiu Shui Kwong v Legend World Asia Group Limited (DCEO8/2015) case, in which a man sued a club operator for charging him a higher entrance fee because he is a man. Although the claimant, legally assisted by the EOC, was not awarded any damages, the ruling made it clear that good and service providers charging patrons differently on the ground of sex violate the Sex Discrimination Ordinance. On 28 October, the EOC released a statement to reiterate this message and clarified that despite the judge’s claim, the EOC could not issue an enforcement notice to the respondent of the case, as the case does not fulfil the requirements for the launch of a formal investigation, under which an enforcement notice may be issued.

The backing of the case by the EOC might have caused some controversy and discontent among local bar and club owners. Nevertheless, it is an irrefutable fact that business promotions favouring one sex more than the other contravene the existing legislation. Additionally, the case shed light on a macro problem – the pervasion of gender stereotypes, such as the perception of women as a tool for attracting men in ladies’ night promotions – which is the root of gender inequality. The EOC hopes that the case can bring out the principles of the Sex Discrimination Ordinance and increase the public’s sensitivity to gender stereotypes so that they can be challenged and that true equality can be achieved.

Read the EOC’s statement on the case
Learn more about sex discrimination

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  1. EOC Recognised in the 2016 HKMA Best Annual Reports Competition

EOC representative receives an award in the HKMA Best Annual Reports CompetitionWe are thrilled that the EOC 2014/15 Annual Report received the Excellence Award for Small Size Entries in the Best Annual Reports Competition, organised by the Hong Kong Management Association. The judges found the publication particularly outstanding in “Purpose, General Description of Activities and Performance”. The award certainly came as a motivation as we are producing the new Annual Report in full force. In fact, we will also release a special book very soon. We can’t wait to share both publications with you!

Read our 2014/15 Annual Report

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  1. Promoting Inclusion at HKU’s Equal Opportunity Festival

EOC Chairperson and other staff support the Equal Opportunity Festival of The University of Hong KongThe University of Hong Kong has launched its annual Equal Opportunity Festival, which will run until 11 November. EOC Chairperson Prof. Alfred CHAN Cheung-ming was invited to be the Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony on 27 October. In his speech he encouraged students and others to respect the differences of individuals and to stand up for the underprivileged. He said: “Discrimination stems precisely from stereotypes, from preconceptions, from the unwillingness to see people in their entirety. If we see each other as unique individuals, instead of as categories, and if we see people beneath the surface, we will be able to see a lot more.”

The launch day saw the EOC setting up a booth to provide practical information on discrimination. Participants could also learn about equal opportunity concepts through interactive games. On 4 November, the EOC will co-organise a seminar on support for students with special educational needs, while some of our trainers will deliver talks on disability discrimination and sexual harassment to students and staff on 8 and 10 November respectively.

Read Prof. Chan’s full speech at the Equal Opportunity Festival
Upcoming events at the Equal Opportunity Festival

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Visit our website or download the EOC mobile app (Apple App Store / Google Play) to stay updated on the EOC’s work and positions, and to review our press releases and calendar training. Also, stay tuned on other equal opportunities issues and community initiatives by visiting our community resources and community events pages for information from our community partners, including publications, survey reports, publicity campaigns, and upcoming conferences.