FOLLOWING the recent issue on ‘rape jokes’ made by a physical education teacher, a number of state representatives and women leaders in Penang have come forward to show their support for the 17-year-old school student, Ain Husniza.
The girl had called out her teacher for making jokes about rape and also lodged a police report against a classmate for subsequently threatening her with rape.
Chong Eng, the state executive councillor for Non-Islamic Religious Affairs and Social Development, said that rape is not a matter to be joked about but instead it is a crime.
“Apart from the teacher who made a joke about rape, the school counsellor also did not take the matter seriously as he dismissed it as a joke.
“Worse still, the student was even threatened with rape by her fellow classmate.
“Rape is not a joke but a crime,” said Chong Eng during a press conference today at Komtar.
Chong Eng praised Ain Husniza for being courageous enough to bring the issue to the attention of all.
“I want to applaud Ain for standing up and being bold to tell everyone, despite being threatened with rape.
“Ain, please know that we stand by you. You are a role model for other victims by being daring to voice out such incidences,” added Chong Eng.
Chong Eng said that it was high time to enhance the awareness of gender sensitivity at all levels, especially in workplace and schools.
“We must make gender sensitisation compulsory for our educators as they are the most respected member of our society and we want to keep that.
“It is important for them to have a gender perspective and to acknowledge the act of rape whether it is committed or verbalised as a sexual violence. It should never be trivialised.
“The Education Ministry should look into this,” said Chong Eng.
Meanwhile, Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Ong Bee Leng said that sexual violence or sexual harassment was prevalent across all sectors and industries.
“Sexual harassment or sexual violence does not only occur in schools but everywhere. Ain Husniza should be lauded for her courageous move.
“Over the years, PWDC has always been working on creating awareness pertaining to gender equality and gender sensitivity.
“It is important for us to keep championing this,” Ong added.
Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi said that the state government was ever ready to help the victims through its first support system set up at all the 40 constituencies in Penang.
“She (Ain Husniza) is also facing cyber bullying. But we would like to let her know that we are here in solidarity with her.
“There are also women out there who are not only victims of sexual violence or sexual harassment but also subject to cyber bullying.
“Please do not hesitate to seek assistance at our service centres,” said Gooi.
Also present during the press conference were state assemblymen Lim Siew Khim (Sungai Pinang), Chris Lee (Pulau Tikus), Heng Lee Lee (Berapit), Penang Island City Council councillors, PWDC board of directors ,Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) programme director Karen Lai Yu Lee and representatives from Agape Counselling Centre Malaysia (Penang Branch).
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan