Cyberbullying, online sexual harassment, cyberstalking and non-consensual sharing of intimate images are among growing threats faced by netizens, prompting Penang to pioneer a statewide initiative.
The misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate images, sextortion and online grooming has also transformed the digital landscape into a minefield, said state social development committee chairman Lim Siew Khim.
“The digital space is no longer just a place for communication, information or entertainment – it has become part of our daily lives,” she said during a press conference at Komtar in George Town.
“Our children learn online, young people build friendships online and women use digital platforms to work, run businesses and express themselves.
“We must ensure these spaces are safe for everyone.”
She said Penang established a multi-agency task force on online sexual violence and cyberbullying on March 6 last year – believed to be the first of its kind in Malaysia.
The task force comprises representatives from the police, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, state Health Department, Social Welfare Department, state Education Department, Penang Institute and Women’s Centre for Change (WCC), among others.
It is chaired by Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan Hooi Peng.
A Penang Action Plan on Online Sexual Violence and Cyberbullying will be launched in December in conjunction with this year’s Penang Goes Orange (PGO) campaign, which focuses on digital safety amid emerging forms of violence and harassment.
First launched in 2014 by Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC), the annual campaign aims to raise awareness of violence against women and children.
This year’s campaign features a 3km Orange Walk on Dec 5 at SMK Permatang Pasir in Bukit Mertajam, with organisers targeting more than 5,000 participants.
Other activities include the “Stop Cyberbullying!” School Resource Centre TV (TVPSS) video competition for secondary schools and PGO video competition open to the public.
Lim said the campaign encourages the public to recognise online threats, report abuse, preserve evidence and intervene safely when witnessing harassment.
She added that a 2024 study by PWDC and the Penang Institute found gaps in public awareness of reporting channels and available support systems.
Titled “Mapping Online Harassment: A Penang State-level Prevalence Study”, the report also found that some victims were unsure whether action had been taken after they lodged reports.
PWDC chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng said nearly half of the survey respondents had experienced online harassment.
Among respondents aged 18 to 35 who had experienced online harassment, 62% of women and 45.4% of men said their first experience occurred at age 17 or younger.
Ong said young women were more exposed to sexual harassment, cyber-flashing, online grooming and catfishing, while young men more commonly experienced cyberbullying and account hacking.
She said online harassment could leave lasting emotional effects, including anxiety, fear, loss of confidence and difficulty trusting others.
PWDC board member Prof Datuk Dr Noraida Endut said women also faced gender-specific threats, which could discourage them from expressing themselves online.
WCC executive director Karen Lai Yu Lee said more than one in four domestic and sexual violence cases handled by the organisation last year involved some form of online abuse.
She said 39 of the 152 cases or 26% involved elements of online violence.
“This shows that online violence has become part of domestic and sexual violence against women and children.
“It is a threat that is already present, and we can expect it to increase in the near future.”
For campaign details, visit PWDC’s Facebook page.
