The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) personnel who allegedly harassed two female drivers at different roadblocks have now been identified.
According to The Star, Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) director Comm Datuk Zamri Yahya said investigations are currently underway and have withdrawn the policemen involved from any roadblock duty pending the investigations.
Photo via Malay Mail | Graphics by: Syariman
If you are a victim of sexual harassment, please remember that it’s not your fault!
Victims of sexual harassment may need support, whether it is dealing with the trauma of being harassed or finding the courage to file a report.
If you are uncomfortable talking to a family member or a friend, you can seek help from women’s groups such as the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) Penang, or the All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) who can provide victims of sexual harassment with necessary counseling, advice and emotional support.
They will also be able to support a victim report the harassment to the police and even accompany the victim to the court.
Photo via Nature Index
Women’s Centre For Change programme director, Karen Lai said, “Reporting a sexual crime can be traumatic because the victim has to ‘relive’ the experience. Furthermore, going to court can be lengthy, tedious and a stressful process for these women, and support is so important.”
Here is what a victim of sexual harassment can do, according to Gen Medium:
#1 Document everything!
The reason you should document sexual harassment is straightforward: a log of the details is important when it comes time to report the harassment.
You don’t need documentation to file a complaint, but it can help whoever’s investigating know who to speak to or where to look, and it can help support your claims by providing a record of what happened and when.
Take note of what happened, and keep a record of any written or electronic communication that’s part of the harassment, which includes text messages, emails, or social media posts from the harasser. Write it down, take screenshots of it, print it out, or do whatever you can to help yourself keep track.
#2 Get help
Help and support are available for those affected by sexual harassment.
Seek the support of family and friends, and if you’re struggling to cope and need someone to talk to, you can seek counselling and support from a women’s group:
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
Helpline: +603-79563488
WhatsApp TINA: +6018-9888050
Due to the recent spike in number of COVID-19 cases, #teamWAO will be working from home for the rest of MCO, this...
Posted by Women's Aid Organisation on Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) Penang
Helpline: +604-2280342
Email: www.wccpenang.org
All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
Telenita: +6016-2374221
Email: telenita@awam.org.my
☎️ We know how hard it is to go through this unpredictable MCO. If you need to talk to someone, be it financial...
Posted by All Women's Action Society (AWAM) on Thursday, January 21, 2021
#3 Report
It’s pretty common for victims of sexual harassment to question whether or not they should contact law enforcement and report their assault.
Sexual harassment takes an enormous physical and emotional toll on a victim, who may still be processing what happened, and may not be totally ready to handle the retelling of their story. So, give yourself some time!
Although reporting sexual harassment will not change the past, but for some, a report can help victims seek justice and being the healing process.
Remember that you have options, and how you move forward from it is up to you!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
