AFRO e-News (2020.12)

Latest News

In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, the AFRO Centre will be temporarily closed from 27 November until further notice, while our 24-hour emergency hotline remains operational.

For enquiries, please contact us at 27701065 or email to contact@afro.org.hk.

Pandemic Prevention Tips

Currently, Hong Kong is facing another COVID-19 surge. The situation has deteriorated, and the latest resurgence of infections is considered very severe. Coupled with the fact that a person who has been diagnosed visited the fellow sister's workplace, the situation is really worrying.

Just like many others, while the livelihoods are affected, fellow sisters are also afraid of contracting the disease. Here we have complied some tips which fellow sisters may find helpful:

1) If your situation allows, business can be suspended for a certain period of time.

2) If it is necessary to go to work, you must wear a mask all the time. At present, the supply of face masks in Hong Kong is stable. Face masks have become fashionable, available in different styles and colours, some even with lacy patterns or in cute shapes. Fellow sisters can consider using this kind of mask at work, to prevent infection in style.

3) Measure body temperature and disinfect hands, shoes and belongings for each guest. If you suspect that your client has symptoms of infection, you should ask him to leave and advise him to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

4) Try to have sex in a non-face-to-face position to reduce the risk of droplet transmission.

5) After each guest leaves, replace with brand new sheets/towels, etc., clean the room with disinfectant spray/alcohol/1:99 bleach, and be careful not to stay close to any fire or flammable objects when using it.

6) If you have symptoms such as fever/sore throat/cough, or have been in contact with the confirmed positive case or those who have had close contact with the confirmed positive case, you should immediately stop working and seek medical advice and treatment.

7) Even if you have undergone related tests and the result is negative, please bear in mind that this is not a fix forever. You may still be infected in your daily life in the future. Therefore, don't loosen up. Remember to stay alert, and stay safe!

AFROCareU

AFRO has launched a new online platform, specially designed to delivered mental health related messages.

The pandemic is severe, coping with it can be overwhelming, and feeling trapped or stuck at home can stress you out or even lead to emotional unwellness. AFRO thus has prepared information on pandemic prevention, videos and tips for relaxing and is going to upload them from time to time to various online social platforms and share with fellow sisters. We hope that fellow sisters can relax their minds even in the midst of the pandemic fight.

If you'd like to be kept updated, like our Facebook page or follow our Instagram. You can also scan the QR code to join check our WeChat for the news. Also, remember to like it and share it with other fellow sisters!

Cheung Chau Is Fun

On 12 November, we took a day trip with fellow sisters to Cheung Chau. The social work interns prepared orienteering activities for the fellow sisters. Participants could enjoy the beauty of Cheung Chau while taking part in anti-drug quizzes and mutual understanding games.

All fellow sisters expressed that they could take pictures and meet friends in the beautiful environment, and also learn about the new side of Cheung Chau from another angle, which is also of great help to the relaxation of body and mind.

Although the activity has ended, it is also a new beginning. We hope that from now on all fellow sisters will not forget to take some time to observe the surrounding environment and discover interesting things in life!

Workshops: How do Female Sex Workers in Hong Kong Face the Challenge of Drug Use?

This month, we held the workshops on two Mondays (16/11, 23/11). In the two workshops, we gave an in-depth introduction to the latest trends in sex work, and a university lecturer shared how to understand the needs of sex workers with drug habit from the perspective of narrative therapy.

We will still hold other related workshops in the future. Interested parties are welcome to contact us.

AFRO News Reading

Hong Kong celebrity runner faces sexual assault allegations from running mates and students

https://hongkongfp.com/2020/11/19/hong-kong-celebrity-runner-faces-sexual-assault-allegations-from-running-mates-and-students/

(HKFP 2020.11.19)

A Hong Kong celebrity marathon runner and coach has been accused of sexually assaulting several women in the runner community. As the holder of three Hong Kong long distance running records, the allegations against him made waves in the local sports scene...

AFRO's Comment:

The long-distance running coach was reported and complained by female trainees, accusing him of "biting the nose," "touching the breast," "touching the lower body," and even attempted rape during the nine-year training. Some female students chose not to voice out because they were worried that no one would believe their stories or question why they remained in the coach’s car after being sexually assaulted. Some netizens doubt whether their experiences were true or false, which undoubtedly caused secondary victimisation.

Whenever a victim reports a sexual crime, both real world and the Internet are always filled with questioning voices: "Which body part was 'harmed'?", "How did the incident happen?", "Did he/she resist? If not, he/she is responsible for this!" The public has fallen for the "sexual assault myth" - the victim must have obvious physical wounds (especially vaginal sexual assault), and there must be struggles and injuries in the process. In fact, simply the absence of mutual sexual consent constitutes sexual violence. Sexual violence is not only physical. Verbal harassment, depriving the victim of autonomy and dignity, regarding the other party's body as a tool for one’s own desire, and letting one's own sexual desire override the feelings and trust of others are all sexual violence.

In the past, many fellow sisters have sought help from AFRO. They were assaulted, forced to meet requests (without consent) in the middle of the transaction, or even raped. Some will hesitate to report, thinking that making a big fuss will do no good, so they choose to swallow their anger; some try to report, but there will always be people who say, "You should have expected this!" It seems to many that sex workers are not "qualified" to protect their bodies. In fact, there should not be distinction between "high" and "low" occupations. All people have the same rights and should respect each other. When a fellow sister encounters sexual violence, she should be treated fairly and the abuser should be sanctioned.

If you unfortunately suffer from sexual violence, please remember you can talk to someone you trust or call us. The responsibility is not on the victim, but on the offender. At the same time, all onlookers please be reminded that you have no rights to blame the victims. Even if it is just a few words, it is to rub salt into the victim's wound.