Sexual Offences Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2026 to be gazetted on Friday
The Government will publish the Sexual Offences Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2026 (the Bill) in the Gazette on Friday (November 13).
A spokesperson for the Security Bureau today (November 11) said, "The Bill aims to achieve two policy objectives, namely, strengthening protection for victims of sexual offences, and modernising the laws on sexual offences in Hong Kong to keep pace with the times.
The Security Bureau. Photo source: reference image
"At present, many of the sexual offences in Hong Kong are based on similar provisions in the laws of England enacted in 1956. Over the years, social perceptions related to sexual offences have been evolving. We also notice that there are inadequacies in the existing sexual offence provisions. For instance, some offences are gender-specific, resulting in a narrow scope; some provisions carry distinctions based on sexual orientation; some offences lack consistency on treatments across genders; the provisions and penalties of some sexual offences are not fully commensurate with the gravity of relevant acts; and some terminology used in some provisions is outdated. The Government considers it necessary to review and improve the laws on sexual offences in Hong Kong, so as to address the inadequacies of the current provisions and respond to changes in social perceptions related to sexual offences."
The spokesperson said, "The range of legislative amendment proposals is based on the coverage and recommendations of the Law Reform Commission in its review of relevant legislation, and on the study of developments in relevant legislation in other major common law jurisdictions (including Australia, Canada, England and Wales, New Zealand, Scotland and Singapore), covering different areas including non-consensual sexual offences, sexual offences involving children and persons with mental impairment, miscellaneous sexual offences, and other related amendments proposed to strengthen protection for victims of sexual offences.
Photo source: online image
"We consulted the Panel on Security of the Legislative Council (LegCo) on July 7 on the Government's legislative amendment proposal, and received its full support. We also conducted a one-month public consultation exercise from July 7 to August 5, with a total of 6228 written submissions received. Among them, 99.3 per cent (6182 written submissions) showed support and made positive comments, fully reflecting that the legislative amendment proposal has gained wide support from the community."
The spokesperson added, "Our legislative amendment proposal has also incorporated suggestions received by the Government during the public consultation exercise, including the creation of a new offence to deal with perpetrators' criminal acts of prolonged and repeated sexual abuse against children. We will also criminalise the cybercrime of 'cyberflashing' through the refinement of provisions."
The spokesperson emphasised, "We hope to improve the laws on sexual offences in Hong Kong, the earlier the better, to strengthen protection for victims of sexual offences while ensuring that the laws on sexual offences can keep pace with the times."
The Central Government Offices. Photo source: reference image
The Government will introduce the Bill into the LegCo on November 25 for First Reading and Second Reading, with the target of completing the legislative exercise within the current term of Government.
Research Grants Council hosts workshop and poster session to drive research excellence across local self-financing degree sector
The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
The Research Grants Council (RGC) today (November 11) held a workshop and poster session on the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing (SF) Degree Sector at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, bringing together more than 200 academics from across the sector.
Organised for academic and research staff of the SF sector, the workshop provides a valuable platform for participants to exchange insights and experiences on research innovations and achievements. It also serves to strengthen partnerships between the RGC and the SF sector, promote cross-institutional collaboration and interaction, and facilitate the sharing of successful research practices among participating institutions.
Speaking at the workshop's opening session, the Chairman of the RGC, Professor Timothy W. Tong said, "This year marks a defining milestone as Hong Kong actively implements the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) alongside the commencement of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The RGC is fully committed to working hand-in-hand with our higher education institutions to drive the development of Hong Kong into an international higher education hub as a strategic priority. In achieving our vision, the RGC is rigorously building a robust pipeline of research talent and strengthening our research support for them. By leveraging high impact research outcomes and nurturing young talent, the RGC is building a vibrant innovation ecosystem in sustaining the development of research excellence for Hong Kong."
The workshop featured faculty members who had successfully secured funding under the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local SF Degree Sector, sharing their first-hand experiences and insights into preparing competitive research proposals. In addition, the Chairman of the Assessment Panel for Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local SF Degree Sector, Professor Julie Li, together with panel members, provided observations and feedback on proposals submitted under the latest funding exercise. Concurrently, a poster session was organised to showcase the research achievements and societal impact of completed projects funded under the Faculty Development Scheme (FDS).
"Looking ahead, the RGC will remain steadfast in optimising our funding schemes to support the SF sector for greater academic excellence, in championing inter-institutional synergy, and translating research outcomes into tangible benefits for society," said Professor Tong.
The Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local SF Degree Sector aim at developing and raising the research capability of SF institutions and their faculty members. Since the launch of the research funding schemes in 2013, the RGC has funded close to 1100 projects with a total amount of more than $1 billion.
Details of the funding schemes are available on the RGC website:
FDS:
www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/fds/index.html;
Institutional Development Scheme (IDS) Collaborative Research Grant: www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/ids_crg/index.html;
IDS Research Infrastructure Grant:
ww.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/ids_rig/index.html; and
Inter-Institutional Development Scheme:
www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/iids/index.htm
Research Grants Council hosts workshop and poster session to drive research excellence across local self-financing degree sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Research Grants Council hosts workshop and poster session to drive research excellence across local self-financing degree sector Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
