ANM proposes inclusion of verbal sexual harassment

Jason Chao (center)

The New Macau Association (ANM) yesterday submitted proposals to include verbal sexual harassment in the government’s proposed bill,  as the public consultation period for the revision of sex crimes ends.
In response to the government’s legal measure to discourage harassment by criminalizing physical contact of a sexual nature, ANM vice president Jason Chao said that the measure “is not enough.”
“Sexual harassment is not limited to physical contact but may also be carried out verbally,” Chao said, before adding that “verbal [sexual] harassment is actually more common in the workplace or at educational institutions where power relations often come into play.”
The vice president cited recent requests from United Nations bodies that Macau step up its efforts to respond to harassment.
In reference to the proposal of making prostitution of young people between the ages of 14 and 18 a public crime, ANM has suggested realigning the upper bound of the age limit to 16, in order to protect the “sexual liberties” of young people and to be consistent with Article 168 of the Penal Code.
“I fear the introduction of child prostitution will criminalize young couples involved in sexual relationships,” warned Chao.
“The law [criminalizing child prostitution] could be confused with the usual sexual activities [of young people] … like they may see a movie, exchange gifts, and have sexual intercourse,” added Jason Chao. “It does not distinguish between romantic relationships and prostitution.”
He says the same principle applies to the proposed section of the new bill that details the criminalization of child pornography, which in its broad sense could incriminate the activities of teenagers in romantic relationships.
ANM has therefore suggested that child pornography refer to pornographic material that results in the exploitation of minors, in the same manner as outlined in Article 176 of the Portuguese Penal Code.
“The introduction of this crime should leave the private lives of consenting teenagers unaffected,” Chao said.
For the most part, ANM has welcomed the government’s proposals as “very progressive.” Chao also praised the gender-neutralization present in references to victims of rape. Staff reporter