- Wartawan Nabalu News
SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS URGED TO SPEAK UP TO PREVENT SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN FUTURE
3 June 2021
By Wartawan Nabalu News
KOTA KINABALU: UPKO Women’s Deputy Chief Nazlin Jemandan has urged women who are victims of sexual harassment to stand their ground and speak up so that such incident can be prevented from occurring in the future.
Her urgency came after the shocking emergence of a police report on social media which was filed by a 2021 Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) participants against one of the committee members for alleged sexual assault.
“As someone who has been appointed as UNK committee, this person is expected to carry out his appointment responsibly. What's more is he should have been the one to be revered, with the people being able to hold him in the highest of regards.
“Instead, he has made a mockery of his position and the whole UN event by disrespecting its contestants in the most degrading way possible.
“To the participant who was brave enough to speak up, we laud your courage and stand with you in this matter,” she said in a statement.
However, she said victim blaming is sadly a common practice by those who do not understand, by outsiders looking in.
“For all those who judge and are talking through your hat, put yourselves in the victim's shoes and perhaps you'll understand the darkness and fear felt by her in that moment when she was left helpless and petrified,” she said who is also UPKO Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2021 chairperson.
“This (referring to the recent alleged sexual assault claim) is not another case to be swept under the rug and turned a blind eye to. In fact, ignoring this incident could risk there never being another UN committee or celebration for who could take it seriously then? Who would want to endanger themselves and put their dignity on the line?” Nazlin asserted.
Meanwhile, UPKO Women Chief Datin Juliana Jani also praised the UNK participants for her braveness in reporting the incident to the police.
“I hope that the police would investigate the incident thoroughly regardless of the person’s position and political beliefs.
“If there is no action taken on the man, we are afraid that a similar incident would happen to other women as well.
“We will not allow this to happen, especially towards the UNK participants as this would not only tarnish the image of the beauty pageant organisers but also worry some parents, thus preventing their children to participate in future competitions,” she added.
UPKO Women Vice Chief 3 Fauziah Kudus also agrees that the alleged perpetrator should be investigated and be given heavy punishment if he is found guilty.
“Stern punishment is a must so that justice can be served to the victims,” said Fauziah who is also the Beluran UPKO Women Chief.
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