Don't hesitate to report sexual harassment cases, says Nancy

The Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry is calling on parents to report cases of sexual harassment involving their children. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri stressed the importance of parents not hesitating or being afraid to come forward and file a report, as it is their responsibility to safeguard their children. Police statistics show that there were 378 cases of sexual harassment in 2020, which increased to 506 cases in 2021. However, there was a slight decrease in 2022 with 477 cases reported involving both men and women. Despite the decrease, the minister expressed concern that victims might still hesitate to report due to fear or embarrassment for their families. She emphasized the need for immediate reporting of any instances of sexual harassment during a press conference held in Kelantan on September 7th.

Nancy further stated that children who become victims of sexual harassment rely on their parents to protect them. Parents should educate their children and not hesitate to report incidents. It is important for parents to be cautious and aware of anyone engaging in improper conduct or touching. They should also pay attention to their children’s movements and understand their body language. The fear and embarrassment associated with reporting can be a challenge in addressing sexual harassment, especially when perpetrators view their actions as harmless jokes or misunderstandings. Additionally, Nancy highlighted that men can also be victims of sexual harassment, but many of them do not report such incidents. – Bernama