PETALING JAYA: Cases of sexual harassment in the country have shown a worrying increase, with police statistics recording 477 cases in 2022 and up to 522 in 2023.
In 2024, the number rose to 788 cases, while until June this year, 409 cases had already been reported, according to statistics from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Its minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the trend reflects not only the prevalence of such cases but also rising public awareness through advocacy programmes led by the Women’s Development Department (JPW).
She stressed, in a speech, that sexual harassment is not a trivial issue and must never be normalised, as it has serious emotional, psychological and social impact on victims.
She noted that the enforcement of the Sexual Harassment Act 2022 (Act 840), which came into full effect on March 8, 2024, was further strengthened by the establishment of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal (TAGS).
The tribunal serves as a fast, accessible and low-cost alternative channel for victims to seek redress.
“As of the end of August, a total of 49 complaints had been filed with TAGS, and 48 of them have already been resolved,” Nancy said after launching the Zero Tolerance Against Violence Programme in Bintulu on Friday (Sept 26), organised by JPW as part of the government’s commitment to addressing sexual harassment issues.
She added that the ministry, through JPW, hopes programmes like this would encourage all sectors of society to play an active role in rejecting sexual harassment while continuing to provide moral support to victims so they do not feel alone in their pursuit of justice.
