Several thousand people have rallied in Hong Kong to protest against alleged sexual violence by police during the past months of demonstrations. The rally was billed as a #MeToo event, echoing global protests to end sexual assault and harassment. Organisers said some 30,000 people attended, while police put the figure at 11,500, local media say. Hong Kong Police said they respected the rights of people in detention, and had not received formal complaints. At Wednesday's rally, some attendees told the crowd they had been mistreated by police officers. According to the South China Morning Post, one woman broke down in tears as she accused police of conducting an unnecessary strip-search. Police officials had denied her allegations on Tuesday, saying their video footage did not support her account. Another speaker said her underwear had been exposed while she was dragged away by police, and said officers insulted her and called her a prostitute. "I told them I was wearing a dress and asked them to let me walk. But, of course, they played deaf," reports quoted her as saying. "I am not ashamed of talking about what happened that night, because I did not make any mistakes. I am not a weakling. I don't need people to sympathise with me." The anti-government rallies in Hong Kong have frequently escalated into violence between police and activists, with injuries on both sides. Police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets, while some activists have thrown bricks, firebombs and other objects. On Wednesday, police said 900 people had been arrested since the protests began. Demonstrators have repeatedly accused the police of brutality, and are demanding an independent inquiry. At a separate protest organised by the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, hundreds of people denounced Cathay Pacific Airways for dismissing staff who took part in or supported anti-government rallies.