Underage girls, rape … and handbags: inside the murky world of Hong Kong’s compensated dating scene
Officer warns that youngsters, in a bid to earn money, face dangers from clients including rape as deals are done over the likes of WeChat and Instagram
Underage compensated dating – where a man pays a girl for companionship and often sexual relations – has gone “underground”, according to police.
They say it has moved to phone apps like WeChat and Instagram, where users can chat privately.
Cases are also grossly under-reported, as teenagers often do not seek help unless they can no longer control the situation, as when a “client” starts blackmailing them with secretly taken naked photos or videos for more favours.
Chief Inspector Frances Lee King-hei from the police family conflict and sexual violence policy unit said teenagers often saw compensated dating as a business and had no moral objections to such transactions.
“They often think of themselves as entrepreneurs ... and they market themselves,” Lee said. “But they overestimate their ability to control the situation. They think they are in control of the situation and say they have an agreement with their clients about boundaries and rules. But who would really adhere to those rules once you’re already out with that man?”
Lee said in known cases, many were forced to perform sexual favours they didn’t want to, were raped or more. Others also unknowingly had their interactions filmed, which the “client” would then threaten to post on their Facebook page or even print photos and put them up around their school, Lee said.
