TW: Sexual Harassment

A Malaysian woman whose identity shall be concealed for the sake of her privacy, shared her personal narrative on multiple sexual harassments that she had unfortunately endured over the years. 

source: Facebook

In her account, she mentioned the countless times she had to put up with unwelcomed gestures and uninvited advances from men that left her emotionally scarred, to the point where she had to seek external sources and supports to guide her to recovery. 

source:  Facebook

Sexual harassment should neither be normalized nor tolerated. Victims are often forced to conceal or tuck away their trauma for fear of being ridiculed or invalidated, which then leads to denial and unhealthy development of self-destructive coping mechanisms, among others.

source: Facebook

Survivors of sexual harassment should be allowed a safe space where they feel emotionally supported enough to confess or come forward without being shut down, the woman said. 

source: Facebook

The old, exhausting idea that boys shall forever be boys should never have been used as an excuse to pardon the sickening tendencies that men have in potentially harming women, the woman further explained. The responsibility to be decent towards women shall fall on the shoulders of men and men only, without women having to beg them to. 

However, how dismaying that we, a supposedly progressive society, have to spell it out to these men that harassing, is not in a million years, a normal urge? That they do not own the female body? That they cannot simply do as they please just because they are too weak a creature to control what's in their pants? 

source: University of Colorado Boulder

In her post, the woman also highlights "the full definition of sexual harassment: any unwelcomed, uninvited gestures including verbal comments that make people feel humiliated, uncomfortable (e.g. catcalling) are types of sexual harassment too. It has happened too frequently that people perceive it as a norm. Where some people still think only aggressive behavior can be deemed a crime.

Catcalling is a form of sexual harassment and it is NECESSARY to file a report. It is very important to reflect the true statistic of what's still happening in society."

source: Facebook

The woman ends her confession with an offering of reassurance for fellow survivors, letting them know they do not stand alone. 

If you, or anyone you know have experienced sexual harassment of any kind, do not hesitate to reach out to All Women's Action Society (AWAM) and file a police report. 

There is strength in letting your voice be heard.