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‘It won’t happen to me’: activist tackles prejudice against sexual violence victims in Hong Kong

Angie Ng was raised in a conservative household, so when she became a victim of sexual violence she found it hard to come to terms with the episode. Now, through SlutWalk Hong Kong, she is fighting back against victim blaming

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Following her ordeal, Angie Ng turned to SlutWalk – an international movement calling for an end to rape culture, including victim blaming of sexual assault victims. Photo: Handout

Angie Ng says there are some distasteful phrases in Cantonese – such as dai sei, meaning a person deserved something, and lo lai seu (to bring something upon oneself) – which are frequently being thrown around in daily conversation about victims in all walks of life.

The 39-year-old Canadian, born to parents from Hong Kong, has been a victim of sexual violence, and says she was blamed for it.

“I’ve heard people blame victims of anything, from cancer to homelessness,” says Ng, a feminist activist who is out to change opinions in the city.

But such a tendency towards victim shaming is in no way unique to Hong Kong, she says.

A writer and social researcher, Angie Ng founded SlutWalk Hong Kong in 2011. The group is behind an annual march in Central that aims to raise awareness of their cause. Photo: Handout
A writer and social researcher, Angie Ng founded SlutWalk Hong Kong in 2011. The group is behind an annual march in Central that aims to raise awareness of their cause. Photo: Handout

“Not only is it a lack of empathy, I think it makes people feel safer, like they are immune to sexual assault ... as long as they don’t ‘dress like a slut’,” Ng says.

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