BTH: Sugar Babies: Where does consent end and exploitation begin? [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: A criminologist has cautioned that sugar baby arrangements do not inherently break the law, but those involving coercion, exploitation or sexual services may violate legal boundaries. Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid emphasized that authorities must evaluate the unique circumstances of each case, as financial assistance between consenting adults does not, by itself, constitute solicitation or prostitution.

She noted that labeling payments as gifts or allowances does not automatically dismiss such arrangements as illegal. Haezreena stressed that the nature of the exchange and associated conduct are key factors in determining whether an offense has taken place. She warned that financial dependence could become a tool for control, potentially leading to manipulation, pressure for unwanted sexual activities, blackmail or extortion.

Other red flags include grooming, emotional manipulation, isolation, and threats to expose private messages or photographs when a person seeks to end the relationship. Haezreena suggested that universities should enhance financial assistance, counseling services, and confidential reporting mechanisms to assist vulnerable students seeking support without fear of humiliation or disciplinary consequences.

She also argued that policymakers and relevant agencies require more evidence on the extent of exploitation linked to such arrangements to devise targeted prevention measures and ensure accountability. Instead of treating all transactional relationships as exploitative, she advocated for efforts to identify coercion and abuse while ensuring affected individuals could access assistance.