The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (25 January 2020) released findings from its “Report on the Formulation of Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies (Anti-SH Policies) of National Sports Associations (NSAs) in Hong Kong 2020”. The findings indicated a significant improvement on the formulation and transparency of Anti-SH Policies among NSAs, compared to the previous similar Studies conducted by the EOC in 2014 and 2018. The EOC has also announced the launch of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Hotline at 2106 2222 manned by its newly established Anti-Sexual Harassment Unit (ASHU) to provide a first port of call service for those affected by sexual harassment. “A safe and healthy environment free of sexual harassment is crucial in allowing sports to nurture positive values and attitudes in sports players,” said Dr Ferrick CHU Chung-man, Executive Director (Operations) of the EOC. “From the findings of our Studies, it is encouraging to note that a substantial increase of NSAs have taken action to formulate and implement Anti-SH Policies in their organisations. The number of NSAs which have an Anti-SH Policy and/or Code of Conduct on Anti-Sexual Harassment for Coaches or Instructors (Code of Conduct) has increased from 20 responding NSAs (27%) in 2014 to 71 NSAs (90%) among the 79 NSAs in October 2020. The findings indicate that the joint effort of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the EOC in raising awareness is crucial in promoting anti-sexual harassment policies in the sports sector.” The EOC has been working closely with the SF&OC and other stakeholders to promote a healthy, safe and sexual harassment free environment in the sports sector. The EOC has organised two rounds of Anti-Sexual Harassment Campaign with seminars, training workshops and questionnaire surveys for NSAs in 2014/15 and in 2018 respectively. A policy framework and an easy guide on “Formulating Policy on Sexual Harassment in Sports Organisations” for NSAs were also prepared, with a view to facilitating NSAs to develop an effective Anti-SH Policy. In order to understand how far the NSAs in Hong Kong have adopted measures to prevent sexual harassment, the EOC has conducted a desktop research between May and October 2020 to find out whether the 79 NSAs under the SF&OC at the time have formulated an Anti-SH Policy and/or a Code of Conduct and posted their Policy/Code of Conduct on their websites for public viewing. Highlights of the findings of the research include:
In this Study, the NSAs’ policies have been checked against the 11 essential elements identified for an effective anti-sexual harassment policy. The findings include:
It is also worth mentioning that an increasing number of NSAs require their prospective employees and coaches who will engage in work with underage trainees or young athletes to undergo the Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC). The SCRC is to verify whether the prospective employees do not have criminal conviction records against a specified list of sexual offences. In 2020, 45 NSAs (57%) have required their prospective employees to apply for the SCRC, compared to only 15 responding NSAs in the 2014 Survey and 25 responding NSAs in the 2018 Survey having this requirement. According to the findings of the research, the EOC has made the following recommendations:
With additional funding from the Government, the EOC established the dedicated ASHU in November 2020 to strengthen the effort in combating sexual harassment through prevention, research, policy advocacy, policy guidance and training. The ASHU is tasked with promoting public awareness on anti-sexual harassment policies and measures; conducting a holistic review of the current legal regime to identify protection gaps and recommend legislative amendments where appropriate; and acting as a first port of call for those affected by sexual harassment with a view to addressing the issue for underreporting of sexual harassment among victims. Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin, Chairperson of the EOC said, “With the establishment of the ASHU, enquiries relating to sexual harassment received by the EOC will be first handled by the ASHU. We are glad to officially launch the Anti-Sexual Harassment Hotline at 2106 2222 today, with a view to providing members of the public with information on provisions of the law, advice on where to lodge complaints and seek redress, and referral to counselling and therapy services. Not only victims of sexual harassment, but employers and human resources personnel who wish to learn about their liabilities and anyone who wants to know more on this topic, can also approach the ASHU for guidance.” For details, please refer to the full report on the Formulation of Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies of National Sports Associations on the EOC website: https://www.eoc.org.hk/eoc/GraphicsFolder/InforCenter/Research/content.aspx?ItemID=17103
Photo caption: Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin, Chairperson of the EOC (centre), Dr Ferrick CHU Chung-man, Executive Director (Operations) of the EOC (second from right), Ms Kitty LAM, Chief Policy, Research & Training Officer (first from right), Ms Susana SOO, Senior Equal Opportunities Officer (Anti-SH Unit) (second from left), and Mr Jimmy LO, Policy, Research & Training Officer (first from left), presented the findings and recommendations of the Study at the press conference today. -------------------------------- Equal Opportunities Commission 25 January 2021