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The Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit (FCSV) held the multi-disciplinary seminar “Navigating Online Grooming Risks: Prevention and Protection” on March 23. The seminar brought together experts and representatives from different sectors to discuss the risks of online grooming faced by children and related response strategies. Over 900 parents, educators, social workers and police officers participated both online and in person.
In his speech, Commissioner Chow Yat-ming remarked that the Force recorded 100 cases related to online grooming in 2025, and in the first two months of this year alone had seen 20 cases already, with the youngest victim being only 10-year-old, indicating that the situation could not be ignored.
The Commissioner highlighted that a study focusing on potential offenders was conducted jointly by the FCSV, a team of clinical psychologists, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Shue Yan University and SideBySide, for the first time. The objective is not only to prevent children from becoming victims but also to ensure they do not become perpetrators. He hoped that the seminar could raise awareness across different sectors and called for continued collaboration with the Force to achieve synergy in combatting online grooming.
Representatives from UNICEF, the University of Hong Kong, SideBySide, Meta and the Force also shared their experience in preventing online grooming at the seminar.
This seminar marked the conclusion of the Force’s “Let’s T.A.L.K.” Child Protection Campaign for the fifth year. For more information on the Campaign, please visit the one-stop child protection online platform at www.childprotection.gov.hk.
