Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri announced that a simulation run of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022’s tribunal will be conducted in the near future. She mentioned that certain details of the tribunal are still being refined. During a media gathering in Kuala Lumpur, she revealed that the president and deputy president have already been identified.
She also shared that the ministry’s Jerayawara Kasih@Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy Programme has had 25,251 participants in 65 programs aligned with the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 (Act 840).
Nancy spoke about how the program has encouraged men to come forward about their experiences with sexual harassment, as they may feel embarrassed about reporting to the police. Through counseling, they are able to express their feelings through drawings or by taking a test to reveal their predicament.
This approach has helped to identify the challenges they face as victims. With the enactment of the Act, a safer environment has been created for victims to come forward and seek appropriate action.
When asked about the possibility of installing more closed-circuit television cameras in workplaces, Nancy stated that while it is highly recommended, it ultimately depends on the willingness of employers to do so.
Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu, then deputy women, family and community development minister, shared with the Dewan Rakyat that the ministry had received a total of 1,486 cases of complaints related to sexual harassment, with 27.7% of the cases involving male victims. Nancy also mentioned the ministry had gained approval to appoint a president, deputy president, 10 panel members, and 20 supporting staff members for the tribunal.
