Sexual Harassment Cases Against Male Victims Record Sharp Rise - Nancy

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Sexual harassment cases involving male victims have recorded a significant rise, with more than 1,000 reports received through the complaints counter at the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development since 2024, said Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

She said a similar upward trend was also recorded in statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), indicating the effectiveness of the ministry’s advocacy programme in encouraging victims to come forward and lodge reports.

Nancy said physical sexual harassment reported by male victims included unwanted physical contact involving certain parts of the body.

“For example, there was an incident at a shopping complex where a male victim was suddenly approached and held from behind by a male salesperson while he was about to enter the fitting room,” she told reporters after officiating the Zero Tolerance of Violence: Say No to Sexual Harassment programme here today.

She said that based on complaints received by the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment (TAGS), a total of three cases involving male victims were recorded, with some already resulting in award orders.

Meanwhile, on the alleged sexual harassment case involving a district police chief in Sarawak, Nancy said the case is still under police investigation.

“The ministry commends the courage of the officer involved for coming forward to report the case, and will continue to monitor its development closely,” she said.

Commenting on sexual harassment cases involving children at home, she urged family members to take all complaints from children seriously, especially where it involves a close family member.

“We need to always listen to what they say, as children sometimes feel very afraid to talk to their mothers and siblings for fear of being accused of making up stories.

“Through the advocacy programme we run, children are now starting to become aware of their rights. In fact, some are seeking alternative channels to lodge complaints, including contacting Talian Kasih 15999 or using modern technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT to seek help,” she said.

Earlier in her speech, Nancy said that as of April 26, a total of 92 complaints had been filed with TAGS, with 69 of them successfully resolved, demonstrating the tribunal’s effectiveness in expediting justice for victims.

She said PDRM statistics showed a worrying upward trend, with the number of sexual harassment cases rising from 477 in 2022 to 1,038 in 2025, reflecting that the issue is becoming more serious and requires firm action as well as greater public awareness.

--BERNAMA