251 sexual offence cases involving tertiary students reported in 8 months

Between January and August, police in Melaka recorded 251 sexual offence cases involving tertiary students, highlighting the urgent need to enhance safety measures in educational institutions, according to Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying. To combat this issue, Lim introduced the Waja Siswa Squad, a volunteer initiative under the Women Against Crime program, aimed at promoting awareness and addressing violence against women.

The deputy secretary-general of the ministry (Management) Datuk Ruziah Shafei and Women's Development Department director-general Hanani Sapit attended the Melaka-level Waja Siswa Squad program launch at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM). Lim stressed that sexual harassment, violence, and abuse can take various forms, such as threats, humiliation, emotional manipulation, financial control, and sexual abuse, and should not be normalized.

She emphasized that students must understand their rights, seek help if they experience sexual harassment, and raise awareness among peers to foster a campus environment that rejects violence and promotes healthy relationships. As of September, the Waja Squad had garnered 340,667 volunteers across the nation, comprising 264,461 women and 76,206 men, underscoring the importance of men's participation as allies in promoting respect, rejecting harassment, and fostering healthy relationships.