Hong Kong reported a 20% increase in sexual abuse cases against children under 17 in 2025, with 797 incidents compared to 663 the previous year. Security Minister Chris Tang pledged to strengthen laws by June to better protect victims, citing ongoing reviews of Law Reform Commission recommendations.
Sexual abuse cases against children under 17 in Hong Kong surged 20% in 2025 to 797, up from 663 in 2024. Security Minister Chris Tang vowed to tighten laws by June to better protect victims, studying Law Reform Commission recommendations.
The Reserve Bank of Australia maintained its official interest rate at 4.35% due to a slowing economy and rising unemployment. This decision offers little relief to mortgage holders facing increased costs from previous rate hikes. Higher fuel prices are contributing to inflation.
Adelaide defence lawyer Andrew Robert Graham, 41, pleaded not guilty to three sexual offences, including two counts of engaging in sexual intercourse without consent and one charge of compelling a person to sexually manipulate an offender. He will stand trial in the District Court.
Kurt David Charlton, a 29-year-old former teacher, has been sentenced to over six years in prison for sexually abusing nine children under 13 while babysitting them at their Perth homes. He pleaded guilty to 27 charges, including indecent dealing and recording children, and will be eligible for parole after four and a half years.
A woman sexually assaulted by Dr Krishna Singh while six months pregnant has urged other victims to speak out. Singh was jailed for 12 years in 2022 for offences against 47 patients over four decades, including inappropriate examinations and comments.
Jess Phillips criticizes lenient sentences for teenage boys convicted of rape and sexual assault, calling for a review of sentencing guidelines to prioritize victim safety over perpetrator rehabilitation.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, and his wife Eleanor, 60, face trial in Newry crown court for alleged sex offences spanning 21 years, including rape and gross indecency, with the trial expected to last at least four weeks.
Met Police are urging potential victims of serial rapist John Worboys to come forward, following an ITV drama and a parole board decision to keep him imprisoned. The force has apologised for past failings in his investigation.
Seven Afghan nationals have been charged with rape and child sexual abuse offences as part of an investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation in Norwich. The men, aged 20-23, allegedly committed offences between August 2023 and May 2025. An eighth suspect was arrested in Ireland.
A jury has been discharged due to legal reasons in the trial of two prisoners accused of murdering disgraced former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins. Rico Gedel and Samuel Dodsworth deny murder and possessing a makeshift knife. A retrial will be scheduled.
Three teenage boys (13-14) convicted of raping two teenage girls (14-15) in separate incidents in Hampshire receive youth rehabilitation orders instead of custodial sentences, citing the judge's desire to avoid unnecessary criminalization.
John Worboys, aka John Radford, denied parole due to ongoing high risk of committing further sexual offences against women; decision welcomed by victim Carrie Johnson
A survivor advocate behind the campaign calling for good character references to be abolished in sentencing perpetrators of sexual offences has described the NSW reform as "an absolute victory".
A survivor advocate behind the campaign calling for good character references to be abolished in sentencing perpetrators of sexual offences has described the NSW reform as "an absolute victory".
Prosecution says Rico Gedel attacked Ian Watkins in HMP Wakefield then handed homemade knife to Samuel DodsworthA prisoner accused of murdering the disgraced former Lostprophets singer told guards they “could be talking to someone famous” after stabbing Ian Watkins in the head and neck with a homemade knife, a court has heard.Rico Gedel, also known as Rashid Gedel, carried out the attack on Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences, in his cell at HMP Wakefield, a high-security prison, on 11 October, Leeds crown court heard. Continue reading...
Jordan Linden sentenced to 18 months for string of crimes committed over 10 years between 2011 and 2021A former SNP council leader has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of a string of sexual offences against young men and teenagers as young as 14.Jordan Linden, once considered a rising star in the SNP, was convicted of five sexual assaults on young men after a trial at Falkirk sheriff court in March, which heard that the SNP had “downplayed or ignored” complaints about his behaviour. Continue reading...
Cheshire Police have completed searches at the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe after raiding three properties on Wednesday. Ten people (seven men, three women) were arrested over allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery involving one female victim, alleged to have occurred in 2023. All arrested individuals, of various nationalities including British, Mexican, Italian, American, Spanish, German, Swedish and Egyptian, have been released on conditional bail. Twenty-five others were charged with public order offences unrelated to the investigation. Police stressed the investigation focuses on the allegations, not religion.
Police have raided the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe, Cheshire, following an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences, modern slavery and forced marriage. About 500 officers were deployed on Wednesday morning, making multiple arrests after a woman in the Republic of Ireland reported being raped and sexually abused at the group's headquarters in 2023. The suspects are men of American, Mexican, British, German and Spanish nationality. The sect, which blends Islamic tenets with conspiracy theories about the Illuminati and aliens, moved to the UK from Sweden in 2021. Around 150 people and 56 children live at the grade II-listed property.
Legal experts in Hong Kong are calling for a statutory definition of consent in sexual offence laws, arguing current interpretations rely on 'common sense' creating legal loopholes. The Law Reform Commission's 2019 report proposed defining consent as voluntary and given by a person with capacity, excluding consent obtained through violence, coercion or intimidation. A public consultation is expected soon, with new legislation targeted before the end of 2027.
A former high-profile Northern Territory doctor charged with multiple sexual offences, including rape, has been committed to stand trial later this year.
A former high-profile Northern Territory doctor charged with multiple sexual offences, including rape, has been committed to stand trial later this year.
