KUALA LUMPUR: A local female photographer took to social media to stop years of cyber sexual harassment on top of relentless stalking by an individual.
The victim started uploading bits and pieces of her experience of the harassment on Instagram and Twitter with the handle @Acacia Dania since last night, including attached screenshots of the stalker's messages to her that include lewd content.
Her posts were widely circulated overnight and garnered much attention from social media users.
She told the New Straits Times that the stalker had begun harassing her in 2016 by leaving comments on her blog.
According to the chronology of events compiled and sighted by NST, the man started to stalk Acacia in 2017 by following her to fast-food eateries and her house, despite numerous attempts from her side telling him to stop harassing her.
"(In 2017), he introduced himself, saying he knew me through Instagram when I was with my friend at (one of the) McDonalds (outlets). I told him that I was busy, and he went away.
"He knows where I live. He knows my car. He appeared in front of my house, where he met my father and said he wanted to be acquainted with me.
"If one day he decides to act on his impulses… I'm gone, regardless. My biggest fear is that if (he) goes to jail and completes his (jail) sentence, he will still find me," she said.
She said her life was no longer hers and had lost so much, including her career and mental sanity.
"At this point, I've had panic attacks at the thought of returning to Kuala Lumpur," she said.
She also said the stalker had created over 30 social media accounts over the years where he had used the accounts to harass her, including sending lewd photos to her via direct message on Instagram.
In her social media posts, @Acacia Diana disclosed that the individual had stalked her all the way to London, that the United Kingdom (UK) authorities had arrested him, and that he is currently facing harassment-related charges in court.
She claimed her stalker had fled the UK and had not had his day in court.
"I am exhausted, angry, and irritated by this person. He stalked me to the UK, was arrested and released pending a court date.
"If anyone knows him or his family in real life, please urge him to seek help."
She also said she had lodged a police report against the individual in 2018.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay told the New Straits Times that the authorities were checking on the matter.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil today said the government was planning to speed up enacting laws regarding cyberbullying to combat the growing problem.
Fahmi said authorities were studying related laws in other countries to draft the Act.
"I had a meeting about this two days ago, and we are planning to expedite the process to enact the law.
"It usually takes about two to three years to enact a new law such as the sexual harassment Act, but we are to enact this as soon as possible," he said. - NST
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