Korean Twitch streamer May5w was accosted and sexually harassed by a man in Hong Kong today (11 September 2023).
What Happened
In a video recording of the incident uploaded on r/hongkong, the travel streamer with more than 13000 followers is waiting at a tram stop to go back to her hotel at around midnight.
A man who is also waiting for the tram approaches her to ask about tram routes, which they start discussing.
After a while, May looks worried as she realises the trams are not coming due to how late it is.
She decides to take the MTR instead, and the man asks her for directions to his home in Kennedy Town. Realising they’re heading the same way, May tells the man to follow her.
“Please Don’t Hold My Arm”
As they are walking, the man puts his arm around her while saying “Thank you”.
She tries to shake him off, saying “Okay, okay” and looking visibly uncomfortable.
He moves his hand to her arm, trying to pull her back while saying “Listen, come with me”. She worriedly responds with “Please don’t hold my arm” but is ignored.
The Incident of Molest
As they walk into the station, the man backs May into a corner.
The man then forcibly grabs her waist and chest, and plants a kiss on her head. At this juncture, May cries out “I’m not alone!”
The comments are instantly flooded with worry. A viewer’s donation includes the message “Get away from her”, while others urge May to escape.
Prying herself free, she shouts for help and the man takes this moment to flee. A male bystander sees her and asks if she’s okay, to which she replies “Yes, I’m okay, thank you so much.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@garygaryocp/video/7277452431733067026
Later on, she explains she wanted to help the man as he is a foreigner, and did not expect him to force himself on her.
Her viewers continue to express shock at the incident, saying “Don’t help him” and asking for any viewers living in Hong Kong to file a report against the perpetrator.
The Aftermath
Footage of the incident was posted onto r/HongKong.
According to the original poster u/EbenezerNdipnchot, May stated that she does not want to file a police report out of fear that the perpetrator will find her location through her livestreams and “get revenge” on her.
Several users on r/HongKong sought further information to file an e-police report on behalf of May.
EDIT: The video has been removed, but a shorter clip of the incident is still online. (TW: Outrage of Modesty)
A 12 minute video of the incident is shown below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzNiPCgCCBE
Helplines for Sexual Harassment/Assault
If you or a loved one has experienced something similar to May’s situation, you are not alone. Below are a list of hotlines that can help you process what you’re feeling.
Aware Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC):6779 0282 (Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm), or email at sacc@aware.org.sg
Women’s Helpline: 1800 777 5555 (Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm)
National Anti Violence Hotline: 1800 777 0000 (24/7 with services in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil)
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