Attitudes of the Hong Kong Chinese public towards sex offending policies: The role of stereotypical views of sex offenders

Abstract

The Hong Kong government recently introduced a sex offender registry that gives the public access to records of sexual offence conviction. This step was taken in the context of a penal system that traditionally places a high value on rehabilitation and a culture that traditionally supports rape myths. This study explores public attitudes among the Hong Kong Chinese towards a variety of sex offending policies and the variables, particularly stereotypical views of offenders, which may influence them. Overall, support was expressed for policies that sought to manage the risk posed by sex offenders. This shift is explained by the emergence of a fear of sex offenders as Hong Kong tries to maintain its reputation for good social order amid social and political change, and a new emphasis on sex crimes as a danger to the most vulnerable members of society, namely children.