Penang cops probe alleged sexual harassment of girl, 16

 The victim's mother previously claimed images of her daughter were manipulated with AI and distributed in her school and on social media.

Penang police chief Dennis Lim said their investigation is focusing on a suspect who allegedly sought ‘personal’ videos of the girl via WhatsApp. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Police have launched an investigation after a 16-year-old student in Penang was allegedly sexually harassed and cyberbullied through WhatsApp.

In a statement, Penang police chief Dennis Lim said the victim lodged a report two days ago after receiving a WhatsApp message from an unknown number.

“The person had asked the complainant to send a personal video of herself. Several minutes later, the suspect sent a ‘view-once’ picture of the complainant, with an insulting caption.

“The complainant suspects this was the work of a person from her school,” he said, adding that investigations are being held to identify the suspect.

The case is being probed under Section 8 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and Section 507E of the Penal Code for seeking child pornography, and publishing information on one’s identity to cause harassment, distress, fear or alarm, respectively.

Separately, the Penang education department said it has launched its own internal probe into the student, adding that its immediate priority is to protect the girl.

“Psychosocial support intervention is also being provided to assist the victim,” it said, according to Bernama.

Yesterday, the victim’s mother, 46, claimed that her daughter has been subjected to sexual harassment and cyberbullying since April.

She said images of her daughter, who works as a part-time model, had been manipulated using artificial intelligence and distributed at her school, other public areas, and on social media. - FMT