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We understand that raising maximum imprisonment penalties alone cannot be the sole solution to the problem of sex crimes. We adopt a three-pronged approach in tackling the problem. This includes prevention by enhancing sex education, enforcement by increasing the maximum penalties of these offences and providing support to victims by introducing improved procedures so that they are more willing to come forward to report these cases.

On preventive measures, we have launched a publicity campaign on the prevention of child sexual abuse in 1996/97, focussing on teaching young children to protect themselves and promoting awareness of the problem on the parents' and the carers' part. To develop students' ability to prevent and cope with sexual harassment, we are reviewing the Guidelines on Sex Education in schools. In parallel, we are developing a sex education kit for parents. We have also strengthened our sex education programmes for the younger generation so that they will have a proper perspective of sex and are therefore less prone to commit sexual offences.

We recognise that it is important for victims of sexual offences to come forward and report their misfortune. To achieve this, we have improved our procedures for supporting victims of such crimes. The Police have emphasised a sympathetic approach in their training for officers handling such crimes. In addition, a comfortable atmosphere is provided in the Police report room so that victims will feel at ease to give their statements. In collaboration with the Social Welfare Department, the Police have established a dedicated Child Protection Special Investigation Team to handle child victims involved in child sexual abuse cases. Meanwhile, we have introduced measures to protect child witnesses from the trauma of testifying in court in incest cases by, for example, allowing a child's videotaped testimony to be produced as evidence in court. The Victim's Charter was also issued in 1996 to improve services for victims of crimes. This Charter will be of particular assistance to victims of sex crimes.

We have consulted the Security Panel of this Council and the Fight Crime Committee. Both bodies have indicated support for our proposals.

Mr President, we believe that by enacting the Bill, it will have a strong deterrent effect against such crimes. These changes will contribute towards our efforts to make Hong Kong one of the safest cities in the world.

Thank you, Mr President.

End