KUALA LUMPUR – Sexual harassment should never be condoned, even as a joke, Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri cautioned.
She said some perpetrators view their actions as harmless and as something “normal”.
“This is worrying…at no point should society allow for the normalisation of such behaviour.
“Such actions must never be condoned, and it is important for us to continue being critical and publicise such incidents,” she said at an anti-sexual harassment roadshow last night.
Nancy said statistics from police showed a slight decrease in sexual harassment cases in 2022 with 477 cases, while in 2021 there were 506 cases.
90% of sexual harassment cases were perpetrated against women, with 416 cases in 2022 and 446 cases in 2021.
“More worrying are sexual harassment cases involving children. There were 35 such cases reported nationwide last year,” she said.
She revealed that the states with the highest number of sexual harassment cases were Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Sabah.
“Sadly, the number does not reflect the actual situation in the country, as a number of cases are unreported.
“The reason for this is that some parents are ashamed to report such incidents,” she said.
She warned that such incidents could traumatise the child and leave long-term effects, especially when the perpetrators are someone close to the family.
“This even includes the victim's father or brother,” she said.
Need to overcome fear, embarrassment
Nancy said parents must educate their children and must not be hesitant to report such incidents.
She said it is important for parents to pay close attention to their children’s movements and also to understand any changes in their body language.
“Parents must not let fear or embarrassment prevent them from doing what is right.
“By doing so, they are only allowing perpetrators to go free and look for their next victim,” she stressed.
Nancy said the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022, which has been enforced in stages from March 28, is expected to help victims come forward to report such offences.
“The act reflects the government’s concern and serious commitment to addressing and eliminating gender-based discrimination, especially sexual harassment,” she said.
She stressed that there is an urgent need for society to become more conscious and aware of anti-sexual harassment matters and for victims to be brave in sharing such incidents with people they trust.
She also urged non-governmental organisations and the corporate sector to work together with the relevant authorities and government agencies to combat sexual harassment. – The Vibes, September 26, 2023
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