No law in the world protects people from being "seduced," says a MP

PETALING JAYA: Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto joined the hearsay of criticism of PKR senator's call for a law on sexual harassment to protect men against "seduction" in committing crimes such as rape, saying there is no such law in the world.

Wanita DAP human rights activist and international secretary questioned why the "disruptive" trend of blaming innocent people for incest and molestation continues to this day.

"I am appalled by this statement," she said, referring to Senator Mohd Imran Abd Hamid's remarks in the Dewan Negara today that men may be influenced to commit acts such as rape, molestation and incest.

Imran proposed such a law when discussing the 2019 Syarian Legal Profession (Federal Lands) Act.

"It is important we men must be protected. The actions and clothing of women can seduce us by breaking the law and leading us to charges of crime."

Speaking to FMT, Kasthuri said this makes no sense, as there are laws in the country that criminalize rape.

"I can't get my brain around this argument. It's 2019 and the trend of victim blaming continues.

"These are the men who claim ownership over women who have no respect for women and are driven by their misogynistic and patriarchal beliefs that women are mere assets and they can take what they want."

Kasthuri, who is a member of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Equal Rights and Gender, asked how this logic makes sense when it comes to rape, sexual assault and harassment involving babies, children, mothers and even grandmothers.

"Senators like Imran should not give a bad name to other men who respect women and also respect the rule of law with regard to violence and sexual violence against women and children."

She called on all men and women to convict victims of blame, noting that some of them could be victims of sexual assault or violence themselves.

"How many times have we heard the man on the street saying, 'What did he or she go out so late at night?' "Or" Why did he or she wear this and that? "

"Again and again, it's always the victim's fault."

Kasthuri expressed hope that a law on sexual harassment would be introduced soon, with its content public on Parliament's website to receive feedback from stakeholders.

She said this will ensure that such a Bill will be comprehensive and will not leave anyone out in any field of employment or even in education.

She said that every victim of sexual harassment must be protected by law.

The government withholds the presentation of such a bill in Parliament until the end of a feasibility study.

The All-Women Action Society (Awam) has previously criticized Imran's views, saying that moral policing has not worked in the past.

& # 39; Listen to the victims & # 39;

Goh Siu Lin, a former president of the Association of Women's Associations, said that this focus should be on educating abusers, harassers or rapists and making them responsible to those who violate the rights of others.

"If Imran is honest that our country is safer for women and children and many other victims of sexual crimes (not all women), then he must listen to the victims, respect them as men and remove the failure that men have uncontrollable. sexual urges. this cannot be restrained, "she said.

– Added Goh, "simple concepts" as consent before any sexual interaction takes place or treating each other as equals and with respect "are enough" to "protect" men from sexual crimes.

Human rights watchdog Suaram, meanwhile, called on Imran to immediately apologize and withdraw his remarks, saying such claims were "absurd".

Seara Doraisamy, managing director Suaram said such remarks also perpetuate the culture of impunity where the victim is further victimized by a crime caused by them.

"It is equally horrifying that there was no immediate censure against the senator of the then-deputy president, nor any other senators in the upper house.

"The fact that a senator has been able to make such remarks shows the level of ignorance and apathy toward sexual violence and sexual discrimination among lawmakers in Dewan Negara."

Sevan said Imran and those who agreed with his views should be led to attend courses on gender equality and sexual violence "to stop such a farce" in parliament.