Act quickly to end rape culture and sexual grooming in schools: Kasthuri

GEORGE TOWN – The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government must put an end to rape culture and sexual grooming once and for all, said DAP’s Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto.

Kasthuri, who is DAP’s International Secretary for Wanita, has urged Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin to step up and ensure that firm action is taken against a teacher who made headlines for purportedly making rape jokes.

She also called on Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun to commit to tabling the Sexual Harassment Bill without delay when Parliament reconvenes.

“I call upon the prime minister [Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin] to take matters of our children in schools as seriously as he takes other matters and to ensure that this never happens again,” Kasturi said in a statement.

“As the former Home Affairs Minister under Pakatan Harapan at one time, surely he must know the process of going after real sexual predators and not artists or activists.”

Her comments came after the shocking yet courageous testimony of 17-year-old student Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam, who shared her first-hand experience on rape jokes and rape culture in her school on social media.

In the 59-second Tik Tok video, Ain spoke about a male teacher having a conversation on sexual harassment and protecting oneself.

“It was going good you know, we were talking about sexual harassment, how to take care of yourself, your body rights.

“He was making a couple of jokes, and it seemed normal at first – but slowly, the jokes were getting weird and more lucah (lewd).

“Then we were talking about how there are laws protecting minors from sexual abuse and harassment, and then he said: ‘If you want to rape someone, don't rape those under 18, rape those above 18’,” Ain said.

“He (teacher) also made another comment: ‘If boys get raped, it doesn’t get reported because apparently, boys would feel “good” about it’.”

The student’s father lodged a report with the school counsellor, only to be told that it is “normal” for jokes like this to be made, where boys feel “alright” with it but where girls are “sensitive and emotional”.

Although the counsellor did apologise on behalf of the offending teacher, there was no mention that he would take the matter to the authorities.

Kasthuri said that this is a shameless act to protect predators and sexual monsters by sweeping the matter under the carpet which has become a norm in the past and even today.

She also questioned the school and slammed their inaction when the issue was reported.

“Schools must listen to students when they speak up on sexual harassment or any kind of sexual approaches made by teachers, support staff and other members as part of the ecosystem in the school,” said Kasthuri.

She also encouraged students to report to their school authorities if there is any misconduct by teachers.

“It is due time that the education system in Malaysia goes through an overhaul to stop the lackadaisical ‘tidak-apa’ attitude towards such matters.

“The language used by the teacher was nauseating and disgusting and is the tip of the iceberg, planting in the young, fresh minds of students that rape jokes, rape culture, sodomy, sexual grooming, toxic masculinity and even paedophilia is a norm and should be accepted by children – our children – the future leaders of Malaysia,” she added.

Kashturi’s comments were echoed by both former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and former education minister Maszlee Malik, who called for stern action to be taken against the teacher if it is confirmed that the incident took place, as reported by The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal Getaran.

This was followed by a statement from Sg Buloh district police chief Shafaaton Abu Bakar, who said that the authorities have initiated an investigation into the matter following a report lodged and will call up witnesses. – The Vibes, April 25, 2021