XN000022-1995-01-11 — Page 12

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Motion debate on sexual assault

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Security, Mr Alistair Asprey, in the Legislative Council motion debate on sexual assault today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

Introduction

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The Government accords high priority to tackling the problem of sexual crimes. Many departments are involved in this effort - the Police, the Legal Department, the Social Welfare Department, the Housing Department, and the Department of Health. We have in place good procedures to co-ordinate their work effectively, both to prevent the occurrence of these crimes, and to provide assistance to victims. We regularly monitor and review these procedures.

Extent of Problem

I should first like to comment on the seriousness of the problem. Recent year have not seen an increase in particular sexual offences. Some statistics will illustrate it this. The number of cases of rape reported to the Police in 1990 was 109; in 1991, was 93; in 1992, it was 99; in 1993, it was 103; and in 1994, it was 100. The number of reported cases of indecent assault are similarly shown no substantial increase in recent years. We are, nevertheless, concerned about all such crimes, and have taken a number of measures to prevent and reduce such crimes and to assist the victims.

First and perhaps most important, the Police are determined to apprehend all those who perpetrate these crimes. In the past four years, more than 350 persons have been arrested for rape and 2,500 for indecent assault. The overall detection rate for these offences is very high at more than 69 per cent. The Police will continue to do all that they can to prevent the occurrence of crimes of this sort and to arrest offenders.

Prevention

So far as prevention is concerned, we have conducted regular publicity programmes to advise people how to minimise the risk of becoming victims of such crimes. The Police Public Relations Branch regularly provides advice through radio and television programmes on how to avoid or respond to sex-related crimes. Pamphlets and guidelines issued by the Crime Prevention Bureau have been distributed to local communities through mutual aid committees, owners committees, District Offices and Police stations.