KUCHING: Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to table the Sexual Harassment Bill this year as more protection is urgently needed.
Women Aid’s Organisation (WAO) deputy executive director and advocacy director, Yu Ren Chung He made the call during a webinar entitled “Cyber Sexual Harassment: Are We Protected?” hosted by SWWS on Tuesday (August 24),
During his presentation, Yu outlined the gaps in the current provision for addressing sexual harassment across different settings.
“The Sexual Harassment Act needs to have a clear definition, increase coverage and improve access to justice.
“Back in 2016, a survey on cyber harassment found over half of the respondents had experienced at least one form of online harassment,” he said.
Meanwhile, SWWS committee member and school counsellor, Yvonne Yeo, in her presentation, highlighted how young children were at risk including from games they played.
“Even more worrying is the vulnerability of children to cyber sexual harassment.
“With children now having access to smart phones, it is important for parents to have open communication with their children so that the children feel safe to share anything which is troubling them personally,” she said.
A recent research by SWWS showed that 29.5 percent of those surveyed had experienced cyber sexual harassment and that 89.4 percent either did not know or were not sure how to report online harassment.
She added that a global index by Out of the Shadows rated
Malaysia as having zero protection for internet protection.
“It is also known from police data that close to 20,000 people in Malaysia downloaded child pornography in 2019.
“Again, the number is likely to have increased since lockdowns have become common place.
“Data from a group tracking child sexual exploitation online showed a 10 percent increase in reports from Malaysia in 2020 compared to 2019,” she explained.
Yeo said the data showed an urgent need to have a comprehensive Sexual Harassment Act in place promptly and clear information to the public so those encountering such abuse knew how to report.
She added that there was also a need for more public awareness including child friendly discussions in schools.
Women and children who are troubled by such internet abuse and need support can contact SWWS at 082-368853.
