Activist calls for action against Youtuber, Bros Gang TV denies merely chasing views

 

Malaysian Council for Child Welfare (MKKM) president Datuk Dr Raj Abdul Karim said the party involved, which in this case is a Youtuber, did not have the right to air the teenager's revelation as the alleged conduct of the girl's father was criminal in nature. - NSTP/Surianie Mohd Hanif

KUALA LUMPUR: The move by those who interviewed an underage actress where she claimed to have been sexually harassed by her father can be seen as a form of sexual exploitation that warrants action.

Malaysian Council for Child Welfare (MKKM) president Datuk Dr Raj Abdul Karim said the party involved, which in this case is a Youtuber, did not have the right to air the teenager's revelation as the alleged conduct of the girl's father was criminal in nature.

On that note, she said any party that was involved in airing the content on social media should abide by the guidelines set in interviewing children to avoid from exploiting them for the sake of chasing views.

"What was the Youtuber's motive? With the revelation through the interview, the child has been exploited twice, by the father (if the allegations made are true) and by the interviewer.

"We have guidelines to interview children who are sexual abuse victims including getting consent from either parent and it cannot be done in public.

"On the side of welfare, interviewing victims of sexual abuse must be done in the presence of a counsellor and they must be alert to the victim's emotions.

"We do not know how the Youtuber approached the actress but what is certain is that what they did was wrong as it was aired openly," she told Berita Harian.

Meanwhile, Dr Raj said the revelation made by the actress could potentially lead to long-term effects such as depression and embarrassment.

She said the actress should have reached out to the authorities, including the Welfare Department and lodge a police report if she had been sexually harassed by her father.

Responding to Dr Raj's statement, the Youtuber involved, Bros Gang TV told Harian Metro that they did not force the actress to talk about her life experiences.

They claimed that the actress shared her stories on her own accord.

Bros Gang TV said the shocking revelation made by the actress during the course of the interview was unexpected.

They stressed that they had obtained permission from the 15-year-old actress before airing the interview.

They also denied that the reason they uploaded the interview on YouTube was to chase views. - NST