Student held over camp sex crimes

A 28-year-old student has been arrested for alleged rape, indecent assault and voyeurism involving four female participants at multiple orientation camps of the Education University of Hong Kong.

The man was arrested at North Lantau Island Tuesday and is still being detained for incidents at six orientation camps in July and August.

Assistant Yuen Long District Commander of crime Basil Tang Yick-kay said police received reports from two women in the past two months, with one saying she was sexually assaulted by the suspect while the other alleged voyeurism at orientation camps.

Yuen Long police district crime unit launched an investigation and found another two female victims after contacting the university. They said they were indecently assaulted by the same man late last month during camps in Tai Po and Lantau South, respectively.

Tang said an investigation found all four offenses were committed by the alleged serial attacker.

They also found he had participated in a total of six orientation camps in Yuen Long, Tai Po and Lantau South between late July and late last month, including a joint-university camp.

During Tuesday's arrest, Tang said police also seized five orientation camp T-shirts as evidence, adding the man is being detained for investigation.

He added that the man was arrested in late July for another indecent assault case that happened earlier this year and was not related to orientation camps. But he did not reveal whether the man had other history of sexual offenses. The police will not reveal details to protect the victims, Tang said.

"The investigation so far suggested only the man committed the offenses but the police did not rule out other possibilities," Tang said.

Tang also appealed to people who were sexually harassed during university orientation camps to contact the police.

The Education University refused to comment on the latest development of the case, citing it has already entered criminal investigation procedures.

It stressed that students need to obey the law and that the university will not tolerate any illegal acts. It vowed to punish the student if the allegations are proven true.

Equal Opportunities Commission chairman Ricky Chu Man-kin reminded university teachers and students to be aware during orientation activities, as similar "deplorable" incidents will have long-term serious impacts on students who experience university life for the first time during the camps.

The EOC had already contacted universities in June to remind them about possible sexual offenses, he said.

"We could only make appeals to the universities because we cannot force them to obey measures [to prevent sexual harassment]," Chu said.

"Some students and staff organizing orientation camps may be used to the camps' traditional operation mode and not be alert enough [to sexual offenses]."

Meanwhile, Lingnan University has also started an investigation into inappropriate behavior at an orientation camp, as videos circulating online showed students kissing and licking others' fingers during camp games.

The university said students in violation will be referred to the Student Disciplinary Committee and called those who have been affected by the camp activities to contact the university for assistance.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com