Cricket Hong Kong implements anti-harassment code for players

Cricket Hong Kong has taken a major step in redefining and codifying the anti-harassment laws in the sport in the country. The law has been implemented for the players, the support staff, and the other members in the team management. The need for the implementation of these laws have come in the wake of recent sexual abuse claims made by athlete Vera Lui Lai Yiu.

Vera Lui had recently claimed that she was sexually abused almost a decade ago by her coach. She posted about the same on social media site Facebook and started the trend, ‘#metoo’. Soon, people from all parts of the world, who also faced sexual harassment, started following the trend. The officials were forced to check in to the matter and suspend the unnamed coach.

Now, Hong Kong cricket wishes to conduct workshops about the awareness on the sensitive topic for its associates. The Cricket Hong Kong interim chief executive Justin Pearce noted that the board was already planning out a law regarding the same and Lui’s comments have already accelerated the process.

“It was actually due to the furore that arose around the athletics. We were already in the process of formalising a child protection policy and this was a natural progression. The policy was drafted with guidance from the Australian and New Zealand codes. This was done on the Monday immediately upon the story on athletics breaking in SCMP [on November 30]. Thereafter we ran it through our solicitors too to add any items of law that were relevant. Next we had to tie it to our current Code of Behaviour and the CoB Panel,” quoted Pearce as per the quotes in SCMP.

Reporting to CHK

The CHK Chief further noted that the officials of the cricket clubs in the country will go through many educational sessions. Any kind of sexual harassment – behaviour such as written, verbal or physical abuse; display of offensive visual material; unwelcome jokes, comments, innuendo or taunting; leering and obscene comments; condescending, paternalistic or patronising behaviour; awkward practical jokes; unwanted physical contact; flirting; and physical or sexual assault – will be penalized. The victims are expected to directly report their claims to CHK.

“Clubs were advised of the policy week before its effective date. In January we will undertake a series of educational sessions for clubs. A similar process will take place with the child protection policy and all clubs will be required to appoint a child protection officer. They will also receive training on the subject similar to the anti-harassment policy,” Pearce noted.

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