University of Hong Kong launches probe into alleged indecent assault during nursing society orientation

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has launched a probe into claims of indecent assault and drug use during an orientation camp organised by a nursing student society.

HKU announced on Monday that it had instigated an investigation related to an orientation event organised by the nursing society last week. The probe came days after someone who said they were a first-year HKU nursing student made online claims of sexual harassment and cannabis use during the three-day camp.

“The University is committed to promoting civility on campus. Any behaviour against this principle is intolerable,” the university said in a statement.

According to a Chinese-language Instagram post published last Saturday, a nursing student, who did not identify their gender, said there was a “very pungent smell” during a disco at the orientation camp. They later found out through their “group parents,” who were senior students leading groups of newcomers, that it was cannabis.

“The group parents of my group and my friends’ group were ingesting [cannabis] and were drunk. They left other students and I alone and we were very scared and confused during the whole activity. It was very chaotic,” the post read.

The student alleged that a senior male student leading their group touched them inappropriately and similar incidents took place in other groups: “I could feel he touched me deliberately, it made me really uncomfortable.”

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The student said they did not report the alleged indecent assault to the organisers, saying they believed the organisers were friends with the male student who was said to have assaulted them.

The student went on to say that the orientation camp featured a water game, during which students were not allowed to change into dark-coloured clothes. They became “exposed” when their tops got wet, the student said, adding they received “unfriendly stares” during the event.

“I think those three days and two nights were the most painful days of my life, it brought a lot of trauma to me,” the post read.

The Nursing Society said last Saturday that it was actively reviewing and investigating matters relating to its orientation camp. The student body said people could email them regarding any complaints concerning the orientation with evidence attached.

“The matters will be dealt with impartially by our Society,” a bilingual statement on Nursing Society’s Instagram page read.

💡If you are suffering from sexual or domestic violence, regardless of your age or gender, contact the police, Harmony House (click for details) and/or the Social Welfare Department on 28948896. Dial 999 in emergencies.

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