Stop blaming women for sexual harassment

THE Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill was passed in Parliament on Wednesday and will now go to the Dewan Negara for approval.

Although this law is geared more towards the protection of women against sexual harassment, the passing of the Bill is nevertheless a good move for both men and women as it covers all individuals irrespective of gender.

Under this law, those found to have committed sexual harassment may have to pay their victims a sum of up to RM250,000 in compensation or, in default, serve a two-year jail term.

This is a welcome move because it will help to create a safer environment for both women and men.

But enactment of the law is only the first step in ending sexual harassment. To truly stop it, we need to change the culture that allows it to flourish.

We need to educate people about what constitutes harassment, and we need to create an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up about their experiences. Only then can we hope to achieve a world free from sexual harassment.

One way to do this is to stop blaming the victims. Many people still believe that women who dress “provocatively” are inviting sexual harassment. This is not only wrong, but it also puts the burden on victims to police their own behaviour instead of on the harassers to respect the social boundaries.

Victims of sexual harassment should not be blamed for the way they dress. Doing so is akin to punishing the victim because it places the blame on the former instead of on the perpetrator.

It is ridiculous to think that a woman’s choice of clothing is an invitation for unwanted sexual advances. No matter how “provocatively” they were dressed, victims of sexual harassment should never be blamed.

It’s time to stop stigmatising women for engaging in behaviour judged to be promiscuous or sexually provocative, and start holding the perpetrators of sexual harassment accountable for their actions.

CHINGHAO CHUA

Masai, Johor