Sarawak Women for Women Society calls on Malaysia’s new government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to table the Sexual Harassment Bill this year as more protection is urgently needed.

At a recent Webinar SWWS hosted, entitled Cyber Sexual Harassment: Are We Protected?, participants in a poll unanimously called for the long awaited Sexual Harassment Bill to be passed as an Act this year.

Mr Yu Ren Chung, from Women Aid’s Organisation (WAO) during his presentation outlined the gaps in the current provision for addressing sexual harassment across different settings. Back in 2016, a survey on cyber harassment already found that over half of the respondents had experienced at least one form of online harassment. He stated the Sexual Harassment Act was needed to have a clear definition, increase coverage and improve access to justice.

With the pandemic meaning more people are online, the incidence of online sexual harassment is likely to have increased but the much needed protection has not, explained Ms Chua Kuan Ching, an SWWS member who is a lawyer by profession and was jointly moderating the session together with Ms Kimberley Tan who leads the ‘#bukansalahkamek’ campaign to raise awareness and stop sexual violence in Sarawak and is also an SWWS member. Recent research conducted by Ms Jennifer Chan for SWWS showed that 29.5% of those surveyed had experienced cyber sexual harassment and that 89.4% either did not know or were not sure of the procedures on how to report online harassment.

Even more worrying is the vulnerability of children to cyber sexual harassment. Ms Yvonne Yeo, a primary school counsellor and member of SWWS, in her presentation highlighted how young children are at risk including from games they play where predators hide their true identity so they can groom children. With children now having access to smart phones, it is important for parents to have open communication with their children so the children feel safe to share anything which is troubling them personally.

She said that in a global index by Out of the Shadows, Malaysia is rated 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 numbers are likely to have increased since lockdowns have become common place.  Data from a group tracking child sexual exploitation online has reported a 10% increase in reports from Malaysia in 2020 compared to 2019.

Together all this data shows the urgent need to have a comprehensive Sexual Harassment Act in place promptly and clear information to the public so those encountering such abuse know how to report. There is also a need for more public awareness including child friendly discussions in schools.  For women and children who are troubled by such internet abuse and needing support they can contact SWWS on 082-368853.