GERAK is appalled at the news that Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam, who recently exposed her male PE teacher for making predatory comments, is now being threatened with expulsion for missing school.

Sadly and ironically, as this is happening, we have heard nothing about actions being taken against the offending teacher.

Ain’s brave exposure has had reverberations nationwide.

She has revealed a rape culture that is evident in our educational institutions, despite defensive dismissals by those involved and, sadly, a lack of will and wisdom on the part of the Ministry of Education to address head-on this very real – and very frightening – problem facing our students.

Rape, as we and others have stressed, is a violent crime and must not be treated facetiously. Rape culture must be addressed and destroyed.

Ain has bravely spearheaded a movement that will lead to greater awareness and, hopefully, much needed action for reform and a safer learning environment for our students.

Singlehandedly, she has awakened and even empowered many of us who may have been aware of this very serious problem in our environment yet have either swept it under the carpet or have been too timid to do something about it.

For that alone, Gerak stands firm in the belief that Ain and her actions must be applauded. She must not be penalised or victimised for doing the right thing.

The authorities must investigate her revelations and take action there instead of coming up with typical administrative rules to punish her.

Punishing the victim is not the way of an enlightened society; this is the way of barbarians. – May 9, 2021.

* Press statement from Gerak.