Researchers have urged Hong Kong churches to implement policies to protect victims of sexual harassment, after a survey found many had mishandled their complaints or were too scared to come forward.
The Hong Kong Christian Council’s Ministry of Gender Justice released the survey findings in a report titled “It Takes a Village” on Monday.
Among 73 churches surveyed last year about implementing sexual harassment policies, only 47 percent said they had such guidelines.
A review of the websites of 1,154 churches found that only 7.3 percent had policies against sexual harassment published online.
The researchers conducted interviews with 10 people, from victims to those with knowledge of cases of sexual harassment in churches, such as church staff who handled complaints and bystanders.
The culture and structure of churches can create “fertile ground for sexual violence,” the report says.
Power dynamics, as well as a culture of harmony and unity, can make it difficult for victims to come forward and for church members to raise concerns for fear of damaging relationships or provoking conflict, the report said.
They identified at least 69 victims of sexual harassment in churches, with incidents going back two decades.
“Given that victims usually remain silent due to fear and shame, the actual number of those affected is likely to be much higher.”
Jessica Tso, executive secretary of the Hong Kong Christian Council, said at a press conference on Monday that the three victims of sexual assault were only 13 or 15 years old when the incidents occurred.
She said they had known their alleged abuser for a year or two at the time, pointing to a pattern of sexual grooming.
“(This is when) they have your trust, then it slowly escalates… from touching the body to sexual harassment,” Tso said in Cantonese. “Because of that belief, the victim finds it very difficult to talk, or even justify it as (part of) a normal, close relationship.”
One victim, nicknamed Si-Yu, met a preacher at church when he was 14 years old. She started going to church when she was 11 years old because she claimed to be experiencing paranormal events.
Si-Yu described the preacher as the first person who was willing to believe him. They saw each other regularly and Si-Yu developed a deep trust in him.
Then, she said, he began massaging her shoulders, waist and hands and would insist when she refused. He too dragged her into the kitchen and kissed her.
Sex crime laws
According to the report, 100 percent of victims who filed complaints about sexual harassment in their churches were not satisfied with how the case was handled.
Bystanders and those who handled the complaints pointed out shortcomings in the churches’ responses.
A bystander named Shing-yan said that after the church received a complaint, the board held a discussion just three months later.
Tin-wai, an administrator at a church that handles sexual harassment complaints, said there have been situations where the church assigned someone to meet with a victim, but that person wasn’t clear on what they were actually supposed to do.
The researchers suggested that churches create clear anti-sexual harassment policies to cover definitions of harassment and disciplinary measures, as well as conduct regular staff training.
They also called on church leaders to apply the principles of trauma-informed care and avoid pressuring victims to forgive or reconcile with their abusers.
Last week, the government proposed a comprehensive review of the city’s sex crime laws, with suggested changes including the criminalization of same-sex rape and the introduction of a uniform age of consent.
Doris Chong, executive director of the Association on Sexual Violence Against Women, said at the same press conference that the updated laws could make the definitions of sexual harassment and violence clearer. Some of the updates were especially relevant to a church setting, she said.
Chong highlighted the proposed addition of circumstances that could indicate a lack of consent to a sexual act, specifically, “the victim is subjected to the sexual act because of another person’s abuse of a position of trust or authority, or a relationship of dependence.”
Adding abuse of authority as a circumstance showing lack of consent to a sexual act was important for church settings, where power dynamics can discourage victims from speaking out, she added.
