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Protect our children
Natalie Wong Lok-yi, St Margaret’s Co-educational English Secondary and Primary School
Did you know that some of Hong Kong’s current child protection laws related to sexual offences originate from British common law as early as 1956 – a time long before the internet, smartphones or social media existed?
I became deeply aware of the urgent need for action after reviewing the government’s proposed legislative updates. Although the public consultation period recently ended, our focus on child protection must persist. The government’s proposed overhaul addresses critical issues, particularly with new measures aimed at criminalising grooming, tackling the abuse of power in positions of trust and standardising the age of consent at 16.
While our system addresses many issues, it fails to adequately support child survivors of long-term, repeated sexual abuse. Consider the challenge of recalling the exact order of items you purchased during a grocery run on a random weekend years ago. You may remember buying groceries, but expecting to list each item perfectly from memory is nearly impossible, if not completely unfeasible.
Yet, the current legal framework places children who have experienced repeated abuse over many years under a demanding standard. If a victim makes even minor mistakes in their memory concerning specific timelines or locations amid their traumas, their entire testimony can be deemed inadequate.
In reality, traumatised children who experience ongoing abuse often cannot recall the exact details of every incident, including when and where it occurred. Thankfully, the Hong Kong Bar Association recently supported the establishment of a specific offence for continuous child sexual abuse, reversing its position from 2001. The association highlighted the importance of legal safeguards, such as requiring explicit consent from the Secretary for Justice, while endorsing the policy in principle to ensure fair trial procedures in prosecutions.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung has also indicated that the government will actively consider establishing this offence while keeping in close contact with the legal sector.
For far too long, our laws have been expecting young victims to carry the impossible burden of flawless memory alongside their trauma. The law should be on the side of children, not against them. With the rare opportunity we have to fix this historical blind spot as legislative discussions move forward, the public and our lawmakers should keep pushing until our statutes provide complete, uncompromising protection for every child.
Redefining productivity
Aahana Mukhi, Island School
Social media often romanticises productivity in a toxic way. Waking up at 5am, having a bowl of granola for breakfast and colour-coding your notes is not the only way to define a day well spent.
Moreover, social media often equates a lack of ambition with laziness. In a landscape filled with company founders and Ivy League students, not aspiring to reach that level can appear idle.
At school, the practice of comparing résumés and LinkedIn profiles creates pressure that drives an obsession with performance. As a result, ambition may stem not from personal goals, but from a subconscious need to prove one’s worth to others.
Students often forget that social media is just a highlight reel – not the complete picture. Over time, we internalise ambition and productivity as indicators of success. It becomes easier to cling to this illusion of purpose than to confront the guilt that comes from not measuring up.
In my opinion, productivity is not predetermined, and ambition should not be viewed as a badge of honour.
Taking time to relax and watch your favourite show can be just as productive as writing an essay.
Moreover, a person with ambitious goals is not inherently better than someone who is satisfied with their current situation.
Funky sock fun
Allegra Khomara, King George V School
Funky socks are bright, eye-catching pieces of your outfit that often go unnoticed. They are bold fashion statements that are not overly jarring.
Some people are not fully convinced about the funky socks trend, criticising their appearance as childish and unprofessional. However, what’s wrong with enjoying your funky socks, especially while you’re working?
Unless your client is particularly fussy, a little contrast in an otherwise professional environment is not a big deal.
Wearing funky socks can help you feel more relaxed and improve your mood, as they add a touch of humour throughout the day.
Funky socks aren’t necessarily better than plain white socks; they feel the same and offer the same warmth and protection. However, the unique designs can spark conversations.
When you are wearing a plain suit or uniform that doesn’t say much about you, why not showcase your personality with funky socks? Look for socks featuring your favourite superhero or your favourite food.
Funky socks are versatile and can complement any outfit, whether you’re wearing shorts, trousers or a skirt. As long as the dress code allows it, you should have no trouble choosing your own unique socks.
