SURVIVORS of sexual abuse of any kind are often made to deal with a barrage of social stigmas.
They are often told that they are broken or socially unclean, and are sometimes ostracised from society, as if our attire or the colour of our lipstick are invitations for such debasing acts. What is broken is the culture that misappropriates women’s social standing in a supposedly equal society.
There are so many circumstances that lead to sexual abuse, but the one thing they all have in common is the utter disrespect for women.
Sexual abuse is a problem that affects everyone and signals the dysfunction that stems from the so-called power men claim over women. Society is conditioned to think that sexual abuse only happens to “bad” individuals when in reality, victims are normal people just like you and me.
With Covid-19-related lockdowns and school closures still in place at varying levels across the globe, there has been a nauseating increase in gender-based violence.
Over the past year, reports of domestic abuse, incest and rape involving minors have increased, but what about the cases that were never reported?
For example, according to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, there were roughly 1,929 cases that were reported from March to October last year, but data obtained by the police indicated a decline.
The same ministry reported “a decline in number of child abuse cases reported in the first nine months of last year (3,875) while police in some states reported an almost 100% increase in incest cases during the movement control order (MCO)”.
In addition, it was reported that “rape cases involving minors and schoolgoing students as young as 13 years old” are increasing in states like Kelantan, where, according to police data, 51 rape cases were reported from January to July this year, an increase of 12 cases from last year.
The uncertainty of information that is presented to us suggests a deficiency in how data is collected, and the scarcity of neutral reporting highlights the dire need for cohesive responses from authorities as well as governing federal legislation.
The entire system needs an overhaul of mindset as well; if the government is serious about tackling sexual abuse, then protection for women and children who come forward must be guaranteed.
Malaysian women are getting a raw end of the deal – when a minister of great import such as Rina Harun downplays the importance of the federal government’s role in protecting sexual abuse survivors by simply suggesting that lodging police reports are sufficient, it does very little to encourage victims to come forward.
This type of delusion is extremely dangerous because it reaffirms the patriarchal system and continuous misogyny Malaysian women and young girls are subject to, which makes socio-political reforms challenging.
Regrettably, what Rina fails to understand is that when federal legislation is in place, this sends out a strong message that the government will not tolerate abuse of any form, which provides a sense of security for survivors who need to come forward.
Recently, a local gynaecologist with decades of experience serving in the government sector testified that “only three out of 120 cases were brought to court”.
According to him, the number of cases brought to court is significantly low because survivors withdrew their complaints due to family pressure as well as feelings of embarrassment brought upon by social stigmas.
Although the numbers have seemingly decreased in the past decade on paper, the reality of the situation is that not many are willing to lodge reports. This apparent institutional failure simply makes it very difficult for survivors to access justice.
We need political will and we need ministers like Rina, who has been entrusted to helm a very important ministerial portfolio, to do their part and offer tangible reforms that can ensure the safety of every woman and young girl in this country.
There must not be any further delays in tabling the Sexual Harassment Bill because after all, sexual abuse is a form of oppression in its highest, most vulgar form, and it is indeed a matter of upholding social justice that necessitates values where all Malaysians, irrespective of gender, ought to be treated as equals. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
Syerleena Abdul Rashid is Seri Delima assemblyman, DAP Wanita national executive committee member and DAP Penang assistant publicity secretary
