We note with concern the sexual harassment report made against Sungai Siput member of parliament Kesavan Subramaniam of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Political parties should not tolerate sexual harassment. We deserve elected representatives who respect women.
We urge PKR to take this sexual harassment accusation seriously, and immediately launch internal investigations. PKR should appoint an investigation panel that is independent, has expertise on sexual harassment, and is gender-diverse.
In addition to investigating the case, the panel should also review PKR’s policies and response to sexual harassment generally.
We note that the police are investigating the report. However, existing criminal laws do not adequately cover sexual harassment, so police investigations may not resolve the case.
While this case highlights the need for the Sexual Harassment Bill to be enacted, PKR need not wait for the new law. PKR must hold itself to high internal standards.
We urge all political parties to adopt internal policies to prevent and respond to sexual harassment.
We applaud sexual harassment survivors for coming forwards. To all the survivors of gender-based violence, do not hesitate to contact the following organisations for free and confidential support:
All Women’s Action Society (Counselling, legal information, case management)
Telenita Helpline: 03-7877-0224;
Email: [email protected]
Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group
SAWO Helpline: 088-280200;
Email: [email protected]
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) (Counselling, case management, shelter)
WAO Hotline: 03 7956 3488;
WhatsApp: 018 988 8058
Women’s Centre for Change, Penang (WCC)
Telephone: 04-228 0342;
Talian KASIH (government-run hotline) 15999
Endorsed by the following JAG member organisations:
All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
Association of Women Lawyers (AWL)
Foreign Spouses Support Group (FSSG)
Justice For Sisters
Perak Women for Women (PWW)
Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
Sabah Women’s Action Resource Group (SAWO)
Sisters in Islam (SIS)
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
Women’s Centre for Change (WCC)
24 May 2019