Women's group: Idris’ comments on child actor is 'victim-blaming'
The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) has condemned Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Idris Ahmad for saying a child actor should not have “shamed” her father and herself after she alleged that he sexually abused her.
In a statement today, the group said that Idris’ “victim-blaming” comments discourage survivors of sexual and gender-based violence from speaking up.
“These remarks from someone in a position of power and trust are extremely discouraging for all survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, and contribute to its underreporting and fear of speaking out due to judgment and retaliation,” the group said, adding that it only reflected the normalisation of the violence women and girls experience at home.
Idris (above) said according to Islamic teachings, the child actor should not have exposed the abuse publicly.
“In Islam, it is better to not disgrace one’s self (menutup aib sendiri). Such abuse should not be exposed to the public.
“She should have lodged a police report. Police have an obligation to investigate the case,” the PAS vice-president was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.
JAG said the minister’s comments also violated the Child Act 2001 and Sexual Offences against Children (Soaca) 2017.
“The Prime Minister’s Department, the office within which the minister operates, was a key driver in ensuring that provisions in the Soaca to protect children were implemented including by issuing ‘A Special Guidelines for Handling Cases on Sexual Offences Against Children in December 2017’.
“Furthermore, the Child Act 2001 makes it compulsory for a family member to inform a Social Welfare Officer if there is reasonable belief of sexual abuse.
“Advising the survivor and family members to avoid speaking out about experiences of abuse to protect abusers is a blatant contradiction of the core values of Malaysian laws and government SOPs meant to eradicate sexual violence against children perpetrated by adults, including family members,” the group added.
JAG pointed out the 42 percent increase in child sexual abuse cases recorded between 2020 and 2021. The group added that these cases usually involve perpetrators the victim personally knows.
‘Govt must take clear stance’
Hence, the group demanded that the Prime Minister’s Department, the police, and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry take a clear stance on abuse.
“In addressing this issue, the government should know that every survivor and every Malaysian voter will take note of how it chooses to protect its children.”
Subang Jaya district police chief Wan Azlan Wan Mamat has confirmed that the actor, 15, lodged a police report over the abuse.
Among others, he said, the complainant said in her mother's absence, her father made the actor watch pornographic movies with him.
The actor alleged that the incidents occurred between 2013 and 2017, when she was as young as six years old, Wan Azlan added.
The case is being investigated for neglect of a child and possession of pornographic material.
The alleged perpetrator was detained by the police in Kedah at 2.25pm on Tuesday.
The allegations were first made during an interview on YouTube, where she also described being hit and molested by her father. She also alleged that he masturbated in front of her.
The actor’s father reportedly lodged a police report against the allegations at the Bandar Baharu police station in Kedah on Sunday (Sept 3).
The YouTube channel Bros Gang TV, which published the interview with the actor has courted brickbats from child rights activists, who accused them of exploiting the teenager. The YouTubers deny the accusation.
PUS is being PUS...
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