Impact of Sexual Harassment and the Lack of Legal Protection

A few days ago, I was watching the Korean drama, Law School, and a particular case disturbed me and remained with me for some time. It was one on physical abuse and rape by the person whom the character loved and trusted. I felt a deep sense of injustice because I know that this is very real in the world we live in, and many women suffer from the pain, betrayal, humiliation, and the lack of believe of others.

Tonight as I lay on my bed, I am reminded of all the times I have encountered some form of being sexually harassed and nothing was done about it. I also think of the sexual harassments that my mother, my sister, and my female cousin all went through during their younger days, yet none of us knew what to do about it then. According to AWAM, sexual harassment refers to an unwanted or unwelcome conduct that is sexual in nature, and may be committed physically, verbally, non-verbally, psychologically and/or visually, which may cause the person being harassed to feel humiliated, offended or threatened.

I’ve had my innocence taken from me from as young as 10 or 11 years old. The boys in my class used to reenact the sexual act (they call it dry humping) by moving the chair front and back while sitting on it, at the same time making moaning sounds. They would laugh at each other while doing it, and the girls in the class would be very uncomfortable.

When I was in college, one incident left me physiologically, physically and verbally violated. This happened when I was volunteering at the annual education fair and the perpetrator was no other than an educator under the same institution. When I got off work while lining up to buy ticket for the LRT, this lecturer came up to me and asked if he could stand in line with me. He then proceeded to make small talk, took my hand and interlocked his, rubbed his hand over mine, stood close to me, and he eventually also placed his hand over my waist. All the time this happened, I was petrified from fear and shock.

It did not stop even as we entered the LRT. I tried to get away from him but he started to text me with very suggestive texts. I remember deleting the messages on the same day and blocking the number as I was disgusted. On hindside, it could have been used to make a report to the university but even as I made a complain the very next day to the marketing manager that were in charge of us students during the Edu Fair, I was told to let it go and forget about it. 

After that, I posted anonymously on the university’s confession page on Facebook and had several students commenting similar incidents also happened to them. The fact that something like this went on for so long at an educational institution is proof that as kids, we weren’t taught to speak up when injustices happen to us, but rather to just keep quiet and avoid making a scene.

In university, although this would not be categorised under sexual harassment, I had a media law lecturer who only seemed to treat the female students well, and he would often get me to help him to do things, even getting my number to help him with his personal research paper. I felt an odd vibe from him, and based on stories of seniors and other classmates, I made sure I kept my distance.

What’s frustrating is that even if a police report is made, there is close to nothing that will be done. At present in Malaysia, the only acknowledged form of Sexual Harassment is listed under the Employment Act, which relates to sexual harassment at the workplace. This is covered under Part XVA of the Employment Act 1955. Even then, it is very limited. In fact, it is more of a crime in Malaysia to defame someone. If it is taken to court and the perpetrator sues the victim of defamation, and somehow wins, therein lies the failure of the law to bring about justice.

All in all, the realization from all of these is that it must’ve had some underlying psychological effects on me as even now, I am very wary of physical touch from men, even my own family members. It’s not something that can heal easily but writing about it helps to bring it to light.

If you’ve experienced any form of harassment, please don’t be afraid to speak out, no matter who the perpetrator is (family, friend, educator, stranger, etc.) – reach out to those who will support you and make a police report still!