SIBU: The number of sexual harassment cases has been on the rise since 2022, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the number of sexual harassment cases received by police for the first 10 months of 2024 was 666, which was higher than 529 cases in 2023.
"That in turn was higher than 2022 with 488 cases," she said adding that the victims included both men and women.
She said that her ministry had also received a total of 28 complaints of sexual harassment that had been filed at the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment (TAGS).
"Out of 28 complaints filed, a total of 10 complaints have been heard and given the decision," she said after officiating the Community LOVE and Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy Programme at the Sibu Jaya Community Hall.
Nancy said that her ministry, through the Women's Development Department (JPW) was committed to spreading anti-sexual harassment advocacy to the general public so that more people know and are aware of their rights.
The objective of the implementation of the programme was to increase the awareness aspect of anti-sexual harassment and provide specific exposure to deal with cases and help victims of sexual harassment, including in the aspect of complaint management.
In the same event, Yayasan Kebajikan Negara (YKN) also set up a Local Social Support Centre (PSSS) service counter for women, children and other vulnerable groups.
Nancy added that through this counter, the local community has the opportunity to get holistic psychosocial services in one place in line with the whole of society and the whole of government approach.
"This initiative also allows the community to submit complaints while facilitating direct access to various types of services offered by the ministry and strategic partner YKN through the MyPSSS app. In addition, face-to-face counselling services are also offered to relevant parties," she said.
Also held was a briefing session and forum as well as the submission of anti-sexual harassment notices to representatives of the government, private sector and NGOs during the programme.
This kind of outreach programme, she emphasised was expected to bring the ministry's people closer to the local community and also open up more collaboration opportunities with strategic partners in efforts to prevent and increase awareness of sexual harassment in the community as a whole.
