M'SIA TO INTRODUCE SEXUAL HARASSMENT ACT

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- The government will introduce the Sexual Harassment Act to tackle issues relating to sexual violence and harassment against women including the eradication of sexual harassment at workplace.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Noriah Kasnon said
her ministry was in discussion with the Human Resources Ministry about the
proposed legislation particularly on the best way to enhance efforts to deal
with problems affecting women as well as the existing guidelines.

"Presently, the Code of Practice on the Prevention and Eradication of Sexual
Harassment launched in 1999 is the only guidelines used by the government to
tackle the problem," she said when opening a seminar on sexual violence and
harassment against women at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (The Institute of Language
and Literature) here Sunday.


Besides, sexual harassment in whatever forms, be it physical, verbal or
psychological, was a serious offence under the Penal Code, she added.

Noriah said sexual harassment incidents affecting women were more than the
number of cases reported because most victims felt embarassed or afraid to come
forward.

From 2005 to 2008, 3,906 sexual violence and harassment cases including rape
and molestation were reported to the police and 27 disciplinary cases involving
the public sector were reported by the Public Service Department.

-- BERNAMA