KOTA BHARU, Nov 12 — The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) will provides awareness and exposure to students regarding the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 and the operation of the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment (TAGS).
KPWKM secretary-general Datuk Maziah Che Yusoff said TAGS addresses sexual harassment so it does not remain a “cancer” in the community.
“Students are a group at risk of being exposed to sexual harassment, therefore we are committed to addressing this issue,” she said in a statement.
She added that the normalisation of the issue, either openly or as a joke, will leave a negative impact, including trauma and lasting fear.
Yesterday, she inaugurated the Zero Tolerance Programme for Violence@Sexual Harassment Advocacy, which is one of the KPWKM’s initiatives through the Women’s Development Department to give awareness and exposure to students about TAGS in Kubang Kerian here.
Maziah said the programme in question is one of the ongoing advocacy efforts in providing a platform for the community, in addition to raise awareness for victims to come forward and make reports so the issue can be addressed and stopped.
She said based on the statistics of the Royal Malaysian Police, cases of violence against women involving domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment throughout the country, totalled 4,217 cases as of September.
“Statistical data on cases of sexual harassment in this country is still at a worrying level.
“All parties must join hands to stop any form of sexual harassment to create a safe, harmonious environment and provide holistic support to the victims,” he said.
— Bernama
