Bowie Lam

The founder and executive director of Teen’s Key explains the challenges of advocating for sex workers in Hong Kong

By Lauren James

When Bowie Lam started Teen’s Key in 2011, there was no support for young female sex workers in Hong Kong, despite a proliferation of apps and social media causing a boom in newcomers to the industry at the time. The NGO, which offers access to information, care for sexual health, community and legal support, and liaison with authorities to girls as young as 11, was founded after the 2008 murder of a 16-year-old girl involved in the sex trade. “The most shocking thing wasn’t the tragedy; it was the reaction by the media and the public. Some were blaming the girl, saying she deserved it. It made me want to take action.” Here, Lam details Teen’s Key’s work, the difficulties her organisation faces, and why legalisation might not be the answer. In…

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Tatler Hong Kong (Digital) - 1 Issue, November 2022

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