17-05-2025
Rising sexual harassment, domestic violence cases highlight need for community action
Flovia delivering her speech when officiating the 'Zero Tolerance for Violence' programme.
KOTA KINABALU (May 17): A total of 30 sexual harassment complaints have been lodged with the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment (TAGS) to date.
State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Assistant Minister Datuk Flovia Ng explained that TAGS serves as an alternative platform to civil court, aimed at handling sexual harassment complaints swiftly, efficiently, and at minimal cost.
Flovia said that once a report is lodged, action will be taken against perpetrators, including compensation for any loss or damage suffered by the victims.
In 2024 alone, 28 sexual harassment complaints were filed with TAGS, while 11 cases were reported up to 29 April 2025. So far, 30 complaints have been heard and decisions made.
Meanwhile, police data revealed a concerning rise in sexual harassment cases: 477 in 2022, 522 in 2023, and 788 in 2024. As of March 2025, 214 cases have been reported, including five from Sabah.
Flovia noted that the increase in reports shows a growing awareness among the community regarding the importance of personal safety.
'Sexual harassment is a subjective behavior that can happen anywhere and to anyone, regardless of gender, race, religion, or other factors,' she said. 'It is important for all groups in society to recognize that sexual harassment is a form of behavior that makes victims feel uncomfortable, afraid, or threatened.'
She made the remarks while officiating the 'Zero Tolerance for Violence' programme at the Papar Community Hall today.
On a related note, Flovia also highlighted domestic violence as a serious and ongoing issue requiring collective attention and action.
According to police statistics, 7,116 cases of domestic violence were reported in 2024, including 551 cases from Sabah. This marks an increase from 5,507 cases in 2023 and 6,540 in 2022.
Flovia, who is also the Tulid assemblywoman, emphasized that while women are the majority of victims, men can also be affected.
She noted that domestic violence cases surged during the Covid-19 pandemic due to lockdowns and financial pressures. Many victims hesitate to come forward due to fear, social stigma, or emotional manipulation by their abusers. Others may be unaware of how to report such cases.
'As a caring society, we need to be vigilant and take action if we witness such incidents in our community. Be informed and report what's happening around us,' urged Flovia.
