Sexual harassment can happen in higher education institutions

In the annual 2020 report from the All-Women’s Action Society, it is shown that there has been an increase of 311.3 percent of sexual harassment cases where there are up to 801 reported cases compared to the 21 reported cases the year before. A recent study revealed that among 300 sexual harassment cases in educational institutions, 79.4% of them involved educators and school authorities.

A picture of a man touching a woman inappropriately |Source: Bright hr

A YouGov survey published in the New Straits Times has also disclosed that 53% of the victims of sexual harassment do not report or share the incident to authorities nor to their family members and friends.

The main reasons were the fear of embarrassment, fear of repercussions and fear that no actions would be taken.

In a news report by Says, a student in University of Malaysia, identified as Ching, is said to have filed a police report against her professor in June 2020 for sexual harassment.

She had resorted to this decision after her university failed to take action against her perpetrator and refused to disclose further findings of their investigation.

To her disappointment, her case was dropped by the Deputy Public Prosecutor due to “insufficient evidence” despite other victims providing their testimonies and evidence that the perpetrator was a repeated offender.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Nik Ros Azhan Abdul Hamid said, "The DPP dropped the case on the grounds that the perpetrator has faced disciplinary action from the university. If I’m not mistaken, he was demoted and has retired.”

A picture of Wan Puspa Melati Bt Wan Abdul Halim | Source: Code blue

Wan Puspa Melati Bt Wan Abdul Halim, a senior lecturer from the Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management at Taylors, said.“In my opinion, the perpetrator leaving the university is not enough.”

He could easily get another organization to hire him if they’re unaware of the incident.”

My advice is that the current employer should write a letter to inform the next employer. This is not a form discrimination, but measures taken to ensure the safety of students.”

Though she admitted to being unaware of the details of the particular case, she said generally speaking, when authorities drop such cases it is because there is no hard evidence.

It would be the victim’s word against the perpetrator and without evidence, it will be difficult to prove him guilty.

Wan had previously released a publication on Sexual harassment in sports: risk factors analysis from a Malaysian perspective in the international journal of psychosocial rehabilitation.

In a 2018 report by Free Malaysia Today, it was also revealed that a private university lecturer had allegedly verbally abused and sent his students and workmates inappropriate messages.

His alleged misdeeds were revealed when his victims’ shared screenshots of his inappropriate comments on social media. It was confirmed later that a university official was aware of the incident and would be investigating the incident but there was no further public information.

“I would suggest educating institutions, schools and workplaces what sexual harassment is, what can be done, and technicalities behind it. It would be crucial that everyone attends so they can all be educated. Sexual harassment can be very subjective. What one might find normal can cause a sense of violation to others,” she adds

It has been reported By Malay Mail that an anti-sexual harassment Bill is under discussions to table in the parliament this year.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual harassment, please do not hesitate to contact the Women’s Aid Organisation at 603-79563488 or the All-Women’s Action Society at 603-78770224 for support.