#MakeSchoolASaferPlace Trends After M’sian Teen Exposes Rape Culture Among Students & Teachers
On Friday (23 April), 17-year-old student, Ain Husniza had alleged that a male teacher had trivialised rape during a physical and health education class at her school in Selangor.
Through a TikTok video, she explained that inappropriate remarks were made while students were discussing sexual harassment during the lesson.
“We were talking about how there are laws protecting minors from sexual abuse and harassment and then he said ‘if you want to rape someone, don’t rape those under 18, rape those above 18’,” she claimed.
The teacher allegedly also said that if boys were raped, they would not report it because “it feels good for them”. The video quickly went viral on Malaysian social media over the weekend.
Watch it here:
tw// R4P3 JOKES, VERBAL H4R4SSM3NT
this is what i experienced yesterday at school. please help make it safer for us. @maszlee @zunarkartunis @KemPendidikan @adibahnoor #Awareness #Malaysia pic.twitter.com/MSK2rMX6pg
— ain #MakeSchoolASaferPlace (@ant33ater) April 23, 2021
After the classroom incident, Ain immediately lodged a complaint to the school’s counsellor. She shared screenshots of their WhatsApp conversation in a Twitter thread, which showed the counsellor apologising for the teacher’s actions.
However, the counsellor said it was “normal” for teenage boys to utter crude remarks in jest and she should not take it to heart.
this is what my councelling teacher said when i referred to him. pic.twitter.com/oZsjjo12Hb
— ain #MakeSchoolASaferPlace (@ant33ater) April 24, 2021
What’s shocking is that Ain updated netizens through Twitter yesterday (25 April), stating that she has been getting rape threats from her male peers and even got accused of being autistic after the whole exposé.
Her father, Saiful Nizam, 42, told Coconuts KL today that he is worried about his daughter and noted that she will not be attending school for a few days.
“This experience is entirely new to Ain but she remains in high spirits and is determined to raise awareness around issues such as these… I am concerned about my daughter, but hopefully, it will all be OK,” he said.
Saiful mentioned that two police reports regarding the teacher and the threat respectively, were made at the Saujana Utama police station. The threat was captured in an audio recording that said: “I will rape you and then send you to Thailand”.
tw// rape threat
you imagine tirelessly spreading awareness for better education system and this is what you read in the morning. it broke my heart. i suggest if youre sensitive, do not listen. it is very scary. #MakeSchoolASaferPlace pic.twitter.com/ITeo26FMKr— ain #MakeSchoolASaferPlace (@ant33ater) April 25, 2021
According to The Star, the Housing and Local Government Minister, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin said today that the incident must be investigated and taken action immediately.
Zuraida who is also the founder and president of the Council of Malaysian Women Political Leaders (Comwel), mentioned that the claim is a grave concern and should not be taken lightly by school authorities, teachers and counsellors.
“We are against gender discrimination and sexual harassment in all forms. Women and girls, as well as men and boys who are subjected to it, have a right to voice out and do not have to be silent victims,” she said.
Zuraida also expressed confidence that the Education Ministry would take appropriate action on the matter, adding that teachers should set good examples for students.
“We assert that rape can never be a joking matter. Teachers should also observe boundaries with students and not subject them to unnecessary, embarrassing situations with distasteful jokes,” she urged.
Since then, Ain has garnered online support for coming forward with her video and more than 67,000 tweets have since been posted with her hashtag #MakeSchoolASaferPlace. Actress Sharifah Amani and former education minister Maszlee Malik were among those who showed support, take a look:
The young will set us free. Thank you for your bravery Ain. Semoga dipermudahkan segalanya. #MakeSchoolASaferPlace ❤️ https://t.co/VRzMnKksvJ
— Sharifah Amani (@sharifahamani) April 25, 2021
Rogol bukan bahan lawak!#MakeSchoolASaferPlace pic.twitter.com/D3QQkWYxY3
— Maszlee Malik 🇲🇾 (@maszlee) April 26, 2021
#MakeSchoolASaferPlace
Teachers, schools, boys, BE BETTER. pic.twitter.com/ruwEaIssW1— ann 🌺 Animated Commissions open! (@kawliflower) April 25, 2021
i have so much respect for the younger generations. pls don’t be ashamed to admit that sometimes u learned something from them. they are lucky to have this chance to speak up and fight for their rights, i will amplify ur voice, Ain ✊🏻 #MakeSchoolASaferPlace https://t.co/i5PLKp8mIv
— ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ (@snugdeal3r) April 25, 2021
schools should be the safest place for our children & teenagers. boys must be taught better, teachers must be held accountable & the government must intervene.
im sharing these hotlines for those seeking help & support. #MakeSchoolASaferPlace pic.twitter.com/LIXGpISQ0e
— freyr (@notsoaidil) April 26, 2021
Why we have to stand up and speak out.
When we are silent, we are enabling these monsters who are harassing our female friends, they may be your family members who suffer silently.
You’re really brave, Ain!#MakeSchoolASaferPlace https://t.co/XSfOTYOnsQ
— Norman Goh (@imnormgoh) April 25, 2021
BELIEVE GIRLS. #RAPECULTURE in M’sian schools is REAL. Our girls ❌ suffer in silence. You’ve done the right thing by filing a police report, Ain! RMMBR- new WHO data proves 1 in 3 women & girls globally face male violence. Rape threats ARE male violence. #MakeSchoolASaferPlace https://t.co/6ZSYLEtBEF
— Tehmina Kaoosji (@TehminaKaoosji) April 26, 2021