As a result of the amendments to the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) that took effect in June 2020, protections against sexual harassment have been expanded to cover people working in a common workplace, including not only employers and employees, but also interns, volunteers and other “workplace participants” as specified under the SDO.

To explain how the current law may apply to situations of sexual harassment in sports, as well as equip sports organisations with better knowledge of preventive practices, the EOC will organise the seminar “Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Sports Sector: How to Empower Coaches and Athletes to Prevent Sexual Harassment” via Zoom on 26 March 2021 (Friday), 2:30pm-4:30pm.

Conducted in Cantonese, the seminar will begin with keynote speeches from Dr Ferrick CHU, Executive Director (Operations) of the EOC and Dr Trisha LEAHY, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Sports Institute. They will speak on, respectively, the legislative amendments and the role coaches can play in safeguarding athletes from sexual harassment. This will be followed by an experience-sharing session from Miss YU Chui-yee, EOC Member and Representative of the Hong Kong Wheelchair Fencing Team. A panel discussion featuring these speakers and Ms Fay HO, Honorary Deputy Secretary General of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China will also be held, with Miss Kitty LAM, Head of Policy, Research and Training of the EOC as the moderator.

Management, staff members, coaches and athletes from sports organisations, District Sports Associations, National Sports Associations and their affiliates, as well as other sports participants are all welcome. This event is supported by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong Sports Institute, and the Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health of Hong Kong Baptist University.