Stalking causes mental and emotional distress and disrupts the lives of victims as well as those around them. Filepic: AZMAN GHANI/ The Star
A recent video of a woman confronting a motorcyclist who'd been following her around her neighbourhood went viral on social media and emphasised again the need for anti-stalking laws, says Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) deputy executive officer Yu Ren Chung.
"Yet again, we see a woman voice out her experience with stalking in Malaysia. A study done by WAO and market researcher Vase.ai last year suggests that a third of Malaysians – and 39% of women in Malaysia – have experienced stalking which caused them fear. A survey this year by AWAM and political science and social behavioral research firm Cent-GPS found that 25% of young Malaysian women have experienced being followed home.
