The Symposium on Sexual Violence in Asia took place at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) on June 1 and 2. Local and international experts shared experience and knowledge on pushing forward one-stop sexual violence support service, and advocacy in policy reform.

Co-hosted by The Centre for Criminology, the Department of Sociology and The School of Public Health of HKU as well as RainLily, the event attracted over 100 participants. They included scholars, specialists, social workers, forensic pathologists, representatives of Department of Justice (DoJ) and officers from the Force. Chief Superintendent (Crime Support) Yau Siu-kei was one of the panel speakers.

The symposium started with an opening speech by Secretary for Food and Health Professor Sophia Chan. Then some experts gave talks on a range of topics, including "Reforming Criminal Justice for Sexual Violence Victims", "Management of Victims of Sexual Violence - What is Best Practice?" and "Changes in Courtroom for Sexual Violence Victims".

During the panel discussion on "Current framework to deal with sexual violence and its accessibility to victims", Yau Siu-kei explained the Force procedures in handling sexual violence cases, publicity campaigns on preventing sexual violence, and the collaboration among the Force, government departments and non-governmental organisations to protect sexual violence victims. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Law Reform Commission of Hong Kong's Review of Sexual Offences Sub-committee Mr Peter Duncan, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions of DoJ Mr Paul Ho, and Director of The Centre for Criminology of HKU Professor Karen Laidler shared their insights into the challenges in handling sexual violence cases.

The attendees agreed that the symposium offered insightful advice in handling sexual violence victims.