3 December 2021

Press statement by Wanita MCA National Chairperson Datuk Heng Seai Kie

Abuse and violence against children in School is real alarming and need to be addressed Government promptly 

The recent report by the All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) and Save the Schools MY (STS) titled “770 Testimonies of Sexual Harassment, Period Spot Checks, Bullying and Other Abuse in Schools” was as much a heart-wrenching experience as it was a rallying cry for our children’s sake.

I urge the Ministry of Education, school authorities, and parents to stand together via the “Say No to Violence” campaign. The campaign aims to establish anti-harassment guidelines, educate students about self-protection, and ensure effective supervision by parents and teachers to prevent such incidents from happening.

The schooling environment is supposed to be a safe space for children to learn, grow, and interact with peers. Thus, it is unacceptable that some of them fall victim to sexual harassment, period spot checks, and bullying. More worryingly, one-third of the offenders are members of the school authority.

As a student’s role model and protector, teachers shoulder a great deal of trust and respect. Hence, any one teacher who misuse his/her authority to victimise students should be condemned and punished.

Due to a lack of self-awareness and fear, many of these victims don’t even know what transpired or what constitutes as harassment. Combined with the anxiety of reporting the incident, many offenders are able to continue their heinous actions unnoticed and unreprimanded.

The school reflects society in part, and what happens in school today can no doubt also take place in society in the future.

Therefore, we urge all relevant ministries, especially the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to study this analysis thoroughly and take immediate actions in establishing clear guidelines and inform all levels of the education system including the Principal, teachers, school workers, students and parents about what to do when these incidents are reported.

We cannot allow these offenders to prey on our children any more. After all, this is our collective responsibility as a community to be the guardians of our next generation. Let us be the role models that our children need, so that they can grow safely and healthyly and become the leaders of Malaysia’s future.

Datuk Heng Seai Kie
Wanita MCA National Chairperson

-MCA Online-