THERE has been an increase in the number of sexual harassment complaints lodged by men through social support centres, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu said.

She said her ministry received a total of 1,486 complaints of sexual harassment.

“Of the total, 411 cases (27.7%) involved male victims,” she said in reply to Senator Husain Awang’s question about the KPWKM@Advocacy Anti-Sexual Harassment programme’s effectiveness during the question-and-answer session at Dewan Negara today.

Aiman said, based on feedback, 97.6% of roadshow participants showed an increase in sexual harassment knowledge and understanding.

“The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has implemented 14 series of the KPWKM@Advocacy Anti-Sexual Harassment Roadshow involving 19,423 participants from various walks of life,” she said.

Aiman also said a number of advocacy programmes were held with private companies and civil society groups to raise awareness of sexual harassment at work.

“A total of 54 advocacy programmes involving 9,354 participants were carried out in collaboration with various parties, including the Congress of Unions of Employees in Public and Civil Services and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health,” she said. – Bernama, December 5, 2023.