Sexual harassment has been a lurking presence in our society for the longest time. Its hands have been snatching and stripping parts of our innocence, leaving us with mental and emotional scars. Under the Malaysian Employment Act, sexual harassment is defined as ‘any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal, visual, gestural or physical, directed at a person which is offensive or humiliating or is a threat to his well-being, arising out and in the course of his employment’. 

    Though not known by many, sexual harassment can result in serious mental health impacts on the survivors. However, there are aspects of it which we have yet to grasp entirely which is why I reached out to a psychologist specialising in child and adolescent mental health and a member of the British Psychologist Society, Ashwini Balagopal, regarding the mental health impacts over sexual harassment survivors. Over the years, Ashwini has worked with countless child and youth survivors. 

    “When I speak to my clients who got sexually harassed, who are mostly children, they always feel guilty and they blame themselves. Also, some of them come from conservative families, so they would feel like if maybe I didn’t wear that or maybe I didn’t go out, I wouldn’t be like this. Maybe if I wasn’t so affectionate to my uncles, for example, then he wouldn’t have touched me. Another reason is because most of their perpetrators are family members. So, if they were to report to their parents or a police officer, they’re afraid that the family dynamics would be destroyed,” explained Ashwini. 

    Survivors of sexual harassment also feel depression and anxiety. According to Ashwini, many of them have panic attacks and eating disorders. This is because they feel like if they become obese or fat, no one would touch them as they associate being fat with ugliness. Similarly, some may think that if they look really skinny or anorexic, the perpetrator won’t think they’re attractive. Survivors of harassment cope and respond to abuse in different ways, and their response can change over time. This is one of the many coping mechanisms for them. If a child has been sexually harassed by an adult or anyone for that matter, distrust and paranoia can be formed within and result in failed relationships in the future. Some might develop prejudice against certain groups of people because of their perpetrator was of that culture or the survivors themselves become bullies and perpetrators themselves. 

So what are some of the warning signs in cases where survivors do not disclose their experiences to you? Mentioned by Ashwini, here are some of the signs we should take note for the people around us: 

    When there is a sudden change of sleeping patterns or a sudden loss of appetite towards the survivor’s once favourite food, gently approach them to understand the reasons behind the sudden behavioural change. These behavioural change can range from having recurring and specific nightmares, needing to sleep with their parents for comfort and safety or the need to stay away from their parents/siblings to sleep, and over-eating/under-eating with the perception of wanting to make themselves unattractive to the perpetrator to keep them away. 

    This is particularly important for parents to take note of their children, ages 12 and below, as this is a behaviour that is not congruent in their age. If there is a sudden, unknown spike in knowledge of sexual terms, topics or even inappropriate areas of touching to oneself or towards others, this is a clear sign that they have been exposed sexual harassment. 

3. Selective Mutism 

    Selective mutism is defined as a severe anxiety disorder whereby one is unable to speak about a certain topic or speak in certain social situations. In other words, the survivors refuse to talk. As mentioned by Ashwini, they feel that they will either accidentally blurt out what has happened to them and they are worried to disclose such information for reasons such as the perpetrator threatening them. 

    Children, youths and even young adults often learn by observation and imitation. Adults are considered ‘role models’ and to a certain extent, authoritative figures to the younger ones. In other words, adults only do right in their eyes. If a child see their adult perpetrator commit sexual acts, it it likely that they are confused and unsure of what is going on and naturally assume that it is correct. 

    “There was once a case I handled. A young boy around 7 or 8 years old, and he kept touching himself. Even in school, he’s masturbating and touching his penis. So the teachers were wondering what’s going on and he doesn’t know what’s going on. One day he said that the teacher touched him there and he likes it so he touches himself. He got abused by his religious teacher,” shared Ashwini on one of her past cases. 

5. Signs of Trauma to the Genital Area 

    Specifically when there are cases of unexplained bleeding, bruising on the skin, wetting their bed or blood on their clothes or bed sheets. Ashwini emphasised on the importance of parents being attentive towards the clothing of their child, to check if there are drops of blood or anything unusual after coming home. 

    These are some of the signs that show if one has gone through forms of sexual harassment or sexual abuse, impacting them to the point of affecting their daily activities. Everyone reacts differently but Ashwini urges everyone to be attentive and monitor your environment regardless. She has also mentioned that if the survivor were to openly state their suicidal thoughts and ideation to their parents, it is no longer confidential and please get the professional help they need. Be alert, be aware and be attentive for not only yourself, but for everyone around you. 

    This year, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) is determined to finish their 20-year mission of making sure the Sexual Harassment Bill gets tabled. Our current law against sexual harassment is deeply flawed and this Bill serves to change it in terms of coverage, access, and accountability of organisations that does not have a sexual harassment policy. You can play your part by starting conversations about sexual harassment with your friends and family, spreading information about this campaign on social media with the hashtag #DontDisappointUs, #JanganHampakanKami, and #AWAMForTheBill or signing their petition and donating to the cause. To find out more information, you may head to AWAM’s page about this campaign on their website. 

AWAM currently has garnered over 16,000 e-signatures, BUT the traditional Paper Petition is what gets this cause heard in Parliament. YOUR help is needed to amplify the Rakyat’s call for our MPs to address sexual harassment head-on‼️ Follow these steps to sign the paper petition: 

1. Get in touch with AWAM via Instagram @awammalaysia or call them at 0378774221 to get your copy of the petition. 

2. Sign the Petition. Remember to include your IC number, address and full name 📝 

3. Send the petition back to AWAM! You have 2 options for this depending on where you stay📬📫 

*The paper petition is open to Malaysians ONLY. But remember, the Sexual Harassment Act is for everyone! 

*The 2nd image ‘How to send it back’ has a mistake. Petitions sent via PosLaju must be mailed before 16th November).