Hong Kong minister defends 2-month wait to reveal alleged rape case at care home

Chris Sun says mental state of victims and their families part of decision to delay details of allegations against Hong Chi Association employee

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The case is the second in recent years involving an association employee being charged with the rape of a mentally disabled resident under the NGO’s care. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 7:33pm, 24 Oct 2024Updated: 12:11am, 25 Oct 2024

A Hong Kong minister has defended a decision to wait two months before revealing a case of suspected sexual assault at a care home run by the city’s largest NGO for people with intellectual disabilities, saying authorities had to consider the victims and their families.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Thursday the government had to choose the right time to provide details about the case involving the Hong Chi Association. Authorities the day before revealed a staff member at a care home run by the NGO had been arrested, with a source saying the suspect was accused of raping a female resident and sexually assaulting a male resident.

“A very important thing is to ensure that the emotions and mental state of the two victims and their families are stable and that they can accept the disclosure of the incident,” Sun said.

“They have already been hurt, and we have to ensure that they won’t get hurt again. Therefore, we have to carefully choose the time.”

He also vowed to follow up on the case, noting he had met the association’s management and chairman.

The association’s chairman is Edward Yau Tang-wah, the former secretary for commerce and economic development.