UM student group demands stronger anti-sexual harassment measures

 

A Universiti Malaya student group has submitted a memorandum to the varsity management urging for stronger measures to protect students from sexual harassment on campus.

This came after the group conducted a survey earlier this year and found that nearly a quarter of UM students had encountered sexual harassment over the course of their studies.

After submitting the memorandum, Universiti Malaya Feminism Club (UMFC) president Chin Jes Weng told reporters that the document calls for the establishment of an Anti-Sexual Misconduct Committee within the UM Student Union.

It also calls for a review of existing anti-sexual harassment rules and to improve awareness about sexual harassment among the university’s students and staff.

Earlier, Chin had gone to the university’s Student Affairs Office along with five UMFC members at 12.30pm today to submit the memorandum.

Principal assistant registrar Rozaini Abdul Rahim accepted the memorandum on the university’s behalf and promised to pass it to the Integrity Unit under the chancellor’s office for review.

Universiti Malaya Feminism Club president Chin Jes Weng

He also invited the UMFC for further discussions.

According to Chin, the UMFC conducted a survey involving 200 UM students from Jan 4 to Jan 17, where 22.5 percent of respondents claimed to have experienced sexual harassment.

Of those affected, only 11.1 percent said they had taken follow-up action such as by lodging an official complaint.

In addition, 83 percent of respondents were unaware of the university’s anti-sexual harassment rules.

The situation was in stark contrast to the university’s position in the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings where it ranked third in the world in terms of gender equality, Chin said.

Principal assistant registrar Rozaini Abdul Rahim received the memo from Chin Jes Weng

She said UM used to hold lectures during orientation week on preventing sexual harassment, but the practice was halted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The university should revive the practice to raise awareness about sexual harassment among students and staff, she added. - Mkini