ACTIONS CAN BE TAKEN BY THE VICTIM

Make a report to police or

the agency responsible if
there is criminal offenses
Gather evidence by taking involved
notes or recording the
The individual who suffers events
Submit a formal complaint
from sexual harassment or
believes sexual harassment
to the Head of Division of
has taken place the harasser's department

Get advice from a

psychologist,
organizational counselor,
or other agency

Diagram 1.0 Actions can be taken by the victim

First and foremost, the individual who suffers from sexual harassment or believes sexual
harassment has taken place must gather evidence as much as the victim can obtain. It is
important to take notes or record such events like dates, places, and times so that they may
be used as evidence when required. Next, it is crucial to save any notes, e-mail, messages,
pictures as well as sexually explicit material or visual and social media platforms such as the
Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter applications. Notably, the documents, materials or
materials received may not be modified to maintain a chain of evidence.

Subsequently, the victim of sexual harassment may possibly file a police report. This action
can be taken immediately if the act of sexual harassment is consist of a criminal offense such
as violating the law under section 354 of the Penal Code or requesting sexual services as a
bribe under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009. In the meantime, victim could also
lodge a report with the responsible agency like Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) or All
Women’s Action Society (AWAM), a Malaysian NGO that provides counselling and crisis
support to individual who experience abuse or assault.

Moreover, the victim might submit a formal complaint to the Head of Division in the Department
where the harasser works. If a victim has information or is a witness of a sexual harassment
occurring on or committed by a harasser, they may lodge a complaint with the department
related. However, victim must provide sufficient evidence of sexual harassment and all parties
involved in this process must maintain the confidentiality.
Furthermore, if the victim is unsure whether a sexual harassment has occurred or believes he
or she has experienced sexual assault but is unsure of what action to take, the victim may
contact Psychologist, Organizational Counsellor, Public Service Department or other agencies
that dealing with issues of sexual harassment for further information or advice.

Above all, although complaints of sexual harassment can be dealt with through the normal
company complaints procedure, companies are increasingly adopting specific complaints
procedures to deal with sexual harassment to respond better to the needs of victims and to
ensure that investigations are carried out properly. Individuals who deal with sexual
harassment complaints should be trained specifically on this issue and on the nature of sexual
harassment.