Mother hits out at ‘victim blaming’ German Swiss International School after daughter ‘discouraged from reporting sexual assault to police’
- School categorically denies move, saying it had asked whether girl wanted to file a report
- Police confirm boy, 16, was arrested in October for indecent assault
A prestigious international school in Hong Kong has been accused of “victim blaming” by the mother of a 15-year-old pupil following claims the girl was discouraged from reporting to police an alleged sexual assault by a schoolmate, who has since been arrested.
Police have confirmed the boy, 16, was arrested in October over an alleged indecent assault, following an investigation by the Wan Chai District Crime Squad. He was released on bail and must report back to police in December.
In a written reply to the Post, the German Swiss International School, on The Peak, categorically denied it had told the girl not to report the case to police, saying it had in fact asked whether the girl wanted to file a report.
The mother told the Post a school staff member informed her that because the incidents happened outside Hong Kong under a different jurisdiction, it would be difficult for police to investigate even if the family decided to lodge a report. The mother said she felt the school employee was dissuading her from taking the matter to the police.
The Post has withheld some details of the trip to protect the identities of those concerned, as the police investigation is ongoing.
According to the family,on one night during the trip, the boy asked to enter the girl’s room. He allegedly touched her inappropriately once inside the room, leaving the girl shocked and uncertain what she should do.
