Data Base

Statement on the Second Anniversary of the Murder of a Sex Worker (2010.03.18)

In the past two years, nine sex workers have been murdered, and for two cases the murderers are still at large. It is a shame that the Hong Kong Government and even the whole society's concern about this matter has gradually diminished. During the second anniversary of the murder, AFRO has launched the "Sisters Unite and Stand Up" campaign to reawaken the attention of sex workers and their clients, and to urge the Government to conduct a review on relevant laws and a study on decriminalisation of sex work in Hong Kong.

"Sisters Unite and Stand Up"

The campaign was launched during Ching Ming Festival, also the second anniversary of the murder, calling on sex workers to unite and fight against crime. At the same time, the clients are also encouraged to be responsible and good clients and not to cause harm to sex workers.

Speed up Efforts to Seek Justice

A series of homicides against local sex workers began on 14 March 14 2008. Among them, for the homicide occurred on 23 November 2008 on San Tsuen Street, Tsuen Wan and the one on 11 January 2009 on Chuen Lung Street, Tsuen Wan, the suspects are still at large. AFRO urges the police to continue pursuing the murderers with all efforts, to avoid the recurrence of such atrocities, and to seek injustice for the fellow sisters.

Decriminalisation of sex work

After the serial homicides occurred, the police only issued one "emergency" phone number from each district to sex workers (working in one-sex worker apartments), asking them to ask for help if needed. However, the "emergency" line operates only during "office hours", which does not match the work hours of sex workers working in "one-sex worker apartments".

In fact, the nine consecutive homicide cases stemmed from a fundamental problem. Due to the limitations of the current law, sex workers can only work completely alone in a single unit (an isolated setting), thus exposed to various risks. AFRO would like to reiterate that the government has the responsibility to initiate discussions on "decriminalisation of sex work" as soon as possible, and allow at least two sex workers to work in the same unit, so that sex workers no longer have to deal with personal safety issues alone.