The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) had today (18 May 2018) issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (SDO) Cap. 480 in the District Court on behalf of a male employee of a Christian organization. He alleged sexual harassment in that a male senior staff member inappropriately touched his private part on a number of occasions in the course of his employment. The Plaintiff has obtained an anonymity order from the Court to protect his identity and he is identified as “A” in the Notice of Claim.

Under the SDO, sexual harassment includes any unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favours, and other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, where a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated that the victim would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.

It has been brought to the EOC’s attention that there were a considerable number of cases whereby employees were exposed to sexual harassment in the workplace. By taking this case to court, the EOC hopes to raise public awareness that sexual harassment in the workplace is unlawful and would have serious legal consequences. Eliminating sexual harassment remains one of the EOC’s work priorities.

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Equal Opportunities Commission
18 May 2018