KUALA LUMPUR: Expressing concern over the mentality of victim-blaming and silencing a child survivor of sexual abuse, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said says it is a problem that should not be swept under the carpet.
The Pengerang MP said she supported the Joint Action Group (JAG) for Gender Equality’s statement raising similar concerns regarding the act of silencing victims of sexual crimes.
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"No amount of reputation laundering can erase the trauma experienced by any victim, especially a child victim of sexual violence or harassment, or the consequence of being called a liar when it matters most," she said in a Facebook post Saturday (Sept 10).
While she did not name anyone, Azalina is believed to have been commenting on a minister's comments in response to a teenage actress’ claims of sexual harassment against her father.
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Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs Datuk Idris Ahmad has been heavily criticised for saying that the 15-year-old should not have “shamed” herself and her father by going public with her allegations.
Azalina questioned the precedent this would set by silencing and downplaying the child victim's allegations, especially with several Acts already in place that were designed to help and protect victims of sexual abuse.
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"When the perpetrator of sexual abuse is a family member, the repercussions of reporting are multifold.
"Without external interventions, the child is trapped under the same roof as the perpetrator and his or her vulnerability heightens.
"If patriarchy persists at the highest level, compounded with toxic masculine values, what hope do we have for victims of sexual crimes, especially vulnerable children.
"What kind of messaging and precedent are we setting, using religion to create fear, shame, and obligation to protect the reputation of sexual predators," she said.
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Azalina also said there were many avenues for victims of sexual abuse to obtain justice, but said that the resources allocated were not enough.
"When it comes to children, it is a different playing field.
"There is no point in having laws without proper enforcement and support systems in place.
"We have the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) teams, One-Stop Crises Centres (OSCC), D11 (Sexual, Children and Women Investigation) Division, Children's Interview Centres, and Special Courts for sexual crimes against children in the country, but the resources invested in these platforms remain inadequate," she said.
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On Monday (Sept 5), the police said the actress’ father had lodged a report the day before regarding the allegations at the Bandar Baharu station in Kedah.
The report was made after his daughter is said to have shared her life story while appearing as a guest on a programme on YouTube.
The actress, too, lodged a police report on Monday night, claiming that the incidents – including playing pornographic movies on his mobile phone for her to watch – had happened between 2013 and 2017.
On Tuesday (Sept 6), the police arrested the man in Kedah and are investigating the case for neglecting a child and possession of pornographic material.
