Hong Kong to table sex crimes bill updating 1956 laws
The Hong Kong government will publish the 2026 Sex Crimes (Amendment) Bill on Friday, aiming to better protect victims and modernise laws based on 1956 English statutes. The bill will be tabled in the Legislative Council on 25 November, with a target to pass it before the current government's term e
The Hong Kong government will publish the 2026 Sex Crimes (Amendment) Bill on Friday (14 November), the Security Bureau announced on Wednesday (11 November). The bill aims to strengthen protection for sex crime victims and update the city's sex crime laws, which are largely based on 1956 English statutes.
"Social concepts relating to sexual offences have evolved over the years," a Security Bureau spokesman said. "We have also noted shortcomings in existing provisions, such as some applying only to specified genders, some making distinctions based on sexual orientation, inconsistent treatment of sexes, penalties not reflecting the seriousness of offences, and outdated wording."
The government considers it necessary to review and improve Hong Kong's sex crime laws, the spokesman added. The proposed amendments are based on a review by the Law Reform Commission and reference developments in other common law jurisdictions, including Australia, Canada, England and Wales, New Zealand, Scotland, and Singapore.
The amendments cover sexual offences without consent, offences involving children and persons with mental impairment, miscellaneous sexual offences, and other revisions to strengthen victim protection. The government consulted the Legislative Council's Security Panel on 7 July, receiving full support. A month-long public consultation from 7 July to 5 August attracted 6,228 submissions, of which 99.3 per cent (6,182) expressed support.
The government has incorporated public feedback, including a new offence targeting persistent and repeated sexual abuse of children. It will also criminalise "cyber flashing" through optimised provisions. "We hope to improve Hong Kong's sexual offence legislation as soon as possible," the spokesman said, "to strengthen protection for victims and keep the laws up to date."
The government will table the bill for its first and second readings in the Legislative Council on 25 November, with a target of passing it before the current administration's term ends.