The range of sexual offences under the criminal law includes rape, buggery and gross indecency, indecent assault, abduction, incest and other unlawful sexual acts. The existing law has been criticised because some of these offences are gender-specific, while others are based on sexual orientation. There are also concerns that the existing sexual offences may not adequately reflect the range of non-consensual conduct which should be subject to criminal sanction. The maximum sentences that are applicable to the various offences may also need to be reviewed.

Reflecting these concerns, in April 2006 the Law Reform Commission was asked to review the existing sexual offences under the criminal law. The Commission has also been asked to consider whether a register of sexual offenders should be established. A sub-committee, chaired by Mr Peter Duncan, SC, has been formed. The members of the Review of Sexual Offences Sub-committee are:

Mr Peter Duncan, SC, Barrister (Chairman)

Hon Madam Justice Barnes, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court

Mr Eric TM Cheung, Assistant Professor, Department of Professional Legal Education, University of Hong Kong

Dr Chu Yiu-kong, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Hong Kong

Mr Paul Harris, SC, Barrister

Mrs Apollonia Liu, Principal Assistant Secretary for Security, Security Bureau

Mr Ma Siu-yip, Senior Superintendent of Police, Crime Wing, Hong Kong Police Force

Mrs Anna Mak, Assistant Director (Family & Child Welfare), Social Welfare Department

Mr Andrew Powner, Solicitor

Ms Lisa Remedios, Barrister

Dr Alain Sham, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Department of Justice

The Sub-committee's Secretary is Ms Cathy Wan, Senior Government Counsel.