Many people like to joke around, including some dirty jokes. However, think twice before making dirty jokes next time to avoid accidentally committing a crime, because according to Section 509 of the Penal Code, if convicted, the maximum sentence is 5 years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.
According to Guang Ming Daily, Malaysia's Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato' Sri Hajah Nancy binti Shukri, said in an interview that people still think that sexually suggestive jokes are normal, but in fact they violate the dignity of the victims, which also poses a challenge to solving sexual assaults.
"One of the challenges in addressing sexual harassment is that some perpetrators believe the behaviour is just a harmless joke. However, the reality is that when the victim feels uncomfortable with teasing or being confronted with sexual behaviour, it can be categorised as sexual harassment."
She noted that police recorded a total of 506 cases of sexual harassment in 2021, which then dropped slightly to 477 in 2022, but the number increased again to 522 in 2023.
She said that as of August 2024, a total of 442 cases of sexual harassment had been received, and the victims included both men and women, but most of them were women.
According to data from the Malaysian Labour Department, the industries with the most sexual harassment cases include manufacturing, construction and other service industries.
"Sexual harassment can happen in any industry, but changing social culture and attitudes, especially in the workplace, is the main way to address it."
If you have the habit of making dirty jokes, you should pay attention.
