MPs blast deputy IGP over 'maybe a joke' comment on rape threat

 

Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto has blasted Deputy Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani for his comment that a rape threat against a teen is ‘maybe a joke’, saying it normalises rape culture and belittles the victim.

"This is the reason why victims of sexual offences, including domestic violence, hesitate to step forward to lodge a police report.

"I read with shock and disbelief the comment made by the deputy IGP with regard to the police report made by a student who was threatened with rape by her fellow classmate. The male student claimed, ‘If I get you, I will shred you or rape you and send you to Thailand’.

"Does the deputy IGP seriously think a threat as violent as this to ‘shred’ someone or to rape someone, is a joke and therefore be treated lightly?" asked Kasthuri.

Student Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam, 17, had received the threat after calling out a male teacher for allegedly making jokes about rape.

"The student has filed two police reports. The first is over what she felt was an improper approach by her teacher. The second report is regarding what may be a joke from her classmate, which she couldn't accept," Acryl Sani said at a press conference yesterday.

He added that investigation papers had been opened, and statements are being taken.

Saying she was horrified by his response, Kasthuri asked Acryl Sani: "Don’t the words ‘I will shred you...’ mean there are elements of a violent threat?

"What if it was uttered by the public to a female police officer?

"What if such a comment, a rape joke as he mentioned, was made against the prime minister’s daughter, wife or other members of his family? What if it was on any member of the PM’s cabinet?

"Will the deputy IGP say the same thing?" asked Kasthuri.

Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh also weighed in, saying it was a very irresponsible statement coming from such a high-ranking police officer.

"This is premature as the report has just been lodged. It was very unprofessional too. I expect him to say that the police will investigate the matter.

"I would like to ask him, would his response be the same if it’s his own daughter who is going through the experience?" she said.

Klang MP Charles Santiago was no less scathing, suggesting that Acryl Sani should be given some time off to attend gender sensitivity programmes.

"This is sending a wrong message to the rest of the police force. When law enforcers themselves undermine a potentially serious crime, rapists will have a field day," he told Malaysiakini.

Over the weekend, Ain's allegations that her physical and health education teacher made jokes about rape caused mass outrage.

This included telling the boys in class that if they were to commit rape, they should target those above 18.

Following this, she reportedly received an audio message from a male classmate unhappy that she made the allegations publicly instead of dealing with it internally in the school.

Former education minister Maszlee Malik also joined the chorus in slamming the deputy IGP's response.

"A threat is a threat. To condone a threat is utterly unacceptable. Let’s say if that happened to your own daughter. Would you call it a joke?

"Normalising sexual harassment is itself immoral," said the Simpang Renggam MP on Twitter.

Kasthuri lamented that the response by such a senior cop had provided an example of why victims are so hesitant to file reports and have to face shame, judgement, insults and scorn.

"Instead of being a shining example of the police as partners to educating the public and creating awareness on the seriousness of lodging a police report if you have been a victim of sexual harassment, rape, domestic violence or sexual violence, he joined in the chorus of the rest of rape apologists by brushing the matter off lightly.

"How will public confidence be restored when the number 2 man in the Royal Malaysian Police has a mindset that reflects patriarchy, misogyny, victim shaming and victim-blaming?

"Are boys and girls, men and women expected to accept this language as a ‘new norm’?" she asked.

Kasthuri reminded Acryl Sani of the numbers of sexual offences against children, rape and domestic violence that have spiked during the movement control order.

"Does he not know that statistically for every report made on domestic violence, four more goes unreported?

"Being in such a senior position I hope he does, and if he doesn’t it’s time to brush up on his knowledge on rape culture, victim shaming, mental health awareness and international standards on codes of conduct by men in blue to protect and defend victims of violence," she added.

Kasthuri also called on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to address the issue and set the record straight if Malaysia is now a country that accepts and allows rape threats to be made towards women and teenage girls. - Mkini

✍ Credit given to the original owner of this post : ☕ Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH

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