The government privately ordered a criminal crime exhibition for voyeurism and candid photography for 3 months

Social News

Written by: Zheng Qiuling

2020-07-08 17:51

The Government announced today (8th) a three-month public consultation on the proposal to establish criminal offences for voyeurism, private peeping, filming private offices without consent, and distributing relevant images. The public can submit comments on or before October 7 this year.

According to the consultation document, regarding the introduction of 6 new crimes, the authorities recommended a maximum penalty of 3 years or 5 years in prison.

A government spokesman said that he accepted the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission's report on "Peeping and Shooting Underskirts without Consent", and proposed to make a criminal offence for voyeurism and shooting private places, including photos and films, without consent. In addition, the government also proposes to establish a criminal offence for private peeping regardless of the purpose.

The government also proposes to establish criminal offences for the distribution of private images secretly photographed in the above-mentioned proposed crimes, and for the release of private images that were previously taken without consent but not agreed to be distributed thereafter. In addition, the government recommends that all these crimes be included in the specified list of sexual crimes under the Sexual Conviction Record Checking Mechanism.

Advocate a maximum sentence of 3 or 5 years in prison

According to the consultation document, the crime of voyeurism and its statutory alternate crimes are also private crimes of private voyeurism. The maximum penalty is recommended to be 5 years and 3 years imprisonment respectively. If sexual satisfaction is met, the maximum imprisonment is 5 years, and the maximum sentence is 3 years regardless of the purpose. It is recommended to distribute secretly photographed private images and private images without consent. The maximum penalty is 5 years in prison.

According to the government, the current legislation does not specifically aim at voyeurism or photographing private places without consent, such as photographing the bottom of a skirt.

Opinions can be submitted before October 7

At present, the behavior can only be charged with other crimes, such as "loitering", "disruption of order in public places", etc. Some of the penalties are relatively light, which is not commensurate with the severity of voyeurism and private candid photography, especially these Crimes often violate the privacy rights and sexual autonomy of the victims, causing long-term distress, humiliation, harassment and pressure on the victims.

Consultation documents can be downloaded from the website of the Security Bureau. The public can submit their comments by post to the Security Bureau on the 10th floor, East Wing, Government Headquarters, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong, fax 2501 4281 or email (consultation@sb.gov.hk) on or before October 7, 2020.

The government advocates the establishment of six crimes including voyeurism, candid filming of skirts, and distribution of sexual images.

Many Members are concerned that the police are only involved in the drug "only the tip of the iceberg"

Public Consultation of Security Bureau for Crime of Voyeur Shooting Underskirt without Consent