SEVERAL groups have come out in solidarity with teenager Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam and her #MakeSchoolASaferPlace movement.

In a joint statement today, they said Ain Husniza has shown courage and determination by speaking out against the misogynistic toxic culture of normalising rape jokes, sexual grooming, toxic masculinity and paedophilia.

They believed that her brave actions have encouraged more young people to speak out against sexual harassment. 

“We ask that this incident be a moment of education for everyone to unlearn sexism and reject any form of sexual harassment in our everyday lives and conversations,” they said.

Fourteen gender equality organisations, 50 civil society organisations, 821 individuals, 14 members of parliament, two political parties and a corporation have signed the statement.

Ain Husniza recently went public about a male teacher and his rape joke during a physical education and health class. 

The 17-year-old student’s post sparked widespread outrage on social media and later became the target of constant criticism by other male students via Twitter, even receiving a rape threat. 

“Disturbingly, a majority of these comments were made by adult men including, allegedly, male schoolteachers,” the groups said.

“If those comments were indeed by teachers, we demand that they are thoroughly investigated and action taken against them.

“We demand accountability from teachers, schools, law enforcers and people who have caused harm to Ain.”

They also said it was appalling for Deputy Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani to normalise the rape culture.

Acryl Sani was reported to have stated that police received a report from a student “regarding what may be a joke from her classmate, which she couldn’t accept”. 

“This statement is insensitive and unacceptable, coming especially from a senior law enforcer,” the community said. 

“We demand that Acryl issue a formal apology for his unprofessional and insensitive statement that trivialises rape threats and undermines the fear and anxiety caused by sexual harassment.”

The federal police have denied that Acryl Sani made light of reports of teen rape. – May 1, 2021.