Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok has come under fire for advising women to drink less to avoid being raped ("Security chief blasted for rape remark", May 16).
His comments came as government statistics were released showing that rapes in the first three months of this year were up on the same period last year.
I believe that Mr Lai was simply advising ladies (regardless of their ages) to avoid doing anything that might increase their chance of being assaulted. He mentioned drinking excessive quantities of alcohol. He could also have mentioned being in an unfamiliar setting where there may be a greater risk. I think his intentions were well-meant, but in society where so many people are expressing grievances his remarks appear to have been distorted.
Of course, I agree that anyone has the right to drink as much as they wish. This is a personal decision. But, we must be aware of the risks involved. Also, if a women is inebriated and sexually assaulted she may have difficulty identifying her attacker and this would make it tougher to apprehend the culprit.
I don't think Mr Lai was trying to blame the victims. All he was doing was issuing a gentle reminder.
It is rather like advising people to take care of and be responsible for their personal belongings and to be wary, for example, of pickpockets.
