KUALA LUMPUR – It has been a tiring ordeal for Saiful Nizam Abdul Wahab’s teenage daughter, who exposed her teacher for allegedly making rape jokes in class, but he said it is important for youngsters to be heard.
“Yes (now that my daughter’s name has been made public), it does raise some concerns. But as adults, we need to put more trust in our youngsters. They are responsible and want to be heard.”
Asked if he and his daughter, 17, are worried about the backlash she might face in school, the 42-year-old Saiful Nizam told The Vibes that she is adamant about staying put.
“My daughter insists on studying in the same school. I did discuss the possibility of homeschooling, but she doesn’t agree with it, as she wants the same quality of education as her peers.”
Saiful Nizam’s daughter became the subject of national attention after she uploaded a TikTok video on April 23, alleging that her physical education teacher made jokes about rape.
Then, a classmate purportedly issued a rape threat against her for tainting the school’s image.
Following this, Saiful Nizam lodged police reports against the teacher and student in question.
He said his daughter’s decision to speak out on the matter has impacted her well-being, both emotionally and physically.
But her spirit remains high, he said, adding that she will not stop being vocal about the issue.
Asked whether the legal system is capable of handling harassment complaints filed by women, he said: “For me, it is not the legal system, but the individuals within the system who need to be more efficient in handling such matters.” – The Vibes, April 28, 2021
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