*TW/CW: rape, sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
In a TikTok video (that was later shared on Twitter by its creator), a student shared her experience of sitting through a Pendidikan Jasmani & Kesihatan (Physical Education) class with a male teacher – who thought it would be acceptable to joke about rape.
It starts off well, she recounts, saying that they (the class and the teacher) were having healthy conversations about rape, sexual harassment, taking care of each other and rights over ones body. There were a couple of jokes here and there, but still, the conversation was relatively normal. Until…
“But slowly, the jokes were getting weirder and lucah (obscene)”, she said in the TikTok.
Then, as they got onto the topic of how the law protects those who are underaged, his next statement shocks her.
“So nanti korang nak rogol, janganlah rogol yang bawah 18, korang rogol lah yang atas 18
(So later, if you want to rape, don’t rape those who are under 18, rape those who are over 18),”
The absurdity of the situation does not end there. What was even more shocking was the fact that – despite such an appalling statement and the girls staying quiet – the student says the boys were laughing as if it was not a totally offensive joke.
But wait, there’s more!
Apparently, the teacher went on to say that cases of rape amongst boys/men go unreported because “it feels good for them.” The student reported the incident to the school counsellor and SURPRISE SURPRISE! The counsellor excused the teacher for his behaviour, saying that usually male teachers only teach male students.
The counsellor’s reaction is just as problematic, as the response reads:
“Boys usually joke around in crass ways but don’t keep it in their hearts or become emotional. On the flip side, girls are quite sensitive and emotional, that’s human nature.”
The counsellor even goes on to suggest that she needed therapy due to this issue.
There are a couple more videos to follow up the first, posted to address netizens who accused her of bukak aib (revealing the faults of others). She was then forced to justify her choice by saying that she has a voice and doesn’t want anyone else to go through what she did.
MP of Muar, Syed Saddiq, responded to the video, showing his concern towards the issue and demanded that the Ministry of Education act accordingly.
The All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) also showed their concern by reaching out –
This user expressed her disappointment towards the normalized culture and showed her support for the victim.
It’s the painful reality that women go through, whether underaged or not. We do hope authorities take the necessary action to bring justice to the victim(s) in this case.
If you, or anyone you know, are going through a similar situation, do speak to someone you trust. Helplines like the ones by AWAM (+016237 4221), the Befrienders (+60376272929), WAO (+6037956 3488), Sis-Telenisa (+6037960 8802). The helplines do not discriminate by gender, so don’t worry about being turned away. Stay safe and continue educating those who are unaware of the issues that cannot be taken lightly.
*Cover image credit: TikTok/@ant333ater6
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