If you experienced something similar or if you have ever felt uncomfortable with a person’s remarks or conduct around you, you may be a victim to sexual harassment.
Find out what are the signs of sexual harassment and what you can do if you’re being sexually harassed.
Erotic text messages from stranger
China Press reported that the women began receiving the text messages last Thursday. But when the women called the number no one answered.
However, they continued to receive calls from different phone numbers.
One of the victims reportedly managed to get through to the caller. But when asked who he was, he replied by saying that he had sex with her. After hearing that, she immediately hung up.
The victims have lodged a police report and said that they did not know how the man got their phone numbers.
What is sexual harassment?
According to All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), sexual harassment is one of the most common forms of Violence Against Women.
Sexual harassment is defined as receiving unwelcomed sexual conduct. This may include sexual advances, comments, fondling, lewd gestures, jokes, emails, text messages, pornographic pictures, coercion
According to a 2002 study conducted by AWAM and Women’s Development Collective (WDC), results show that 35% of women have experienced one or more forms of sexual harassment.
What do I do when I’m being sexually harassed?
If you’re a victim to sexual harassment, you should start by telling the harasser that you don’t like his actions and that you want him to stop.
If the harassment continues, you should tell your Human Resources department or union representative (if you’re being harassed at the office).
It is also advisable that you keep all the evidence of harassment (e.g. emails, text messages). You can also keep a written account of the harassment by jotting down the date, time, harasser’s name and how the incident occurred.
If the harassment persists, you can choose to lodge a report with the Labour Department or the police.
If you’re being sexually harassed, you don’t have to suffer in silence. You can tell a trusted friend to give you emotional support through the whole ordeal, or you can call a women’s NGO such as AWAM for help and guidance.
You can contact AWAM through their Helpline at +603 7877 0224. You can also visit their website or contact them via email at awam@awam.org.my
Sources:
Several women in Rembau receive erotic messages