The Bar Association advises that winking, whistling, touching, is sexual harassment!
According to a circular issued by the Malaysian Bar last week, winking, whistling and even touching someone’s head constitute sexual harassment!
The circular also lists behaviors aimed at curbing sexual harassment in the legal profession, including inappropriate comments on a person’s appearance (whether derogatory or otherwise), suggestive gestures, or uncomfortable physical contact, which is considered inappropriate even if done in a joking manner.
Online media outlet Freedom Malaysia Today reported that although the Bar Association did not give a reason for issuing the circular, it is understood to have been prompted by several recent incidents.
The Law Society points out that threatening or intimidating a colleague who refuses to show favor would be considered sexual coercion.
“This may include explicit or implicit threats to face bad consequences, such as job loss, demotion or damage to one’s professional reputation, if they refuse an inappropriate request.”
The Law Society advises victims to make a complaint about such incidents through the Peer Support Network, which was launched two years ago and guarantees the confidentiality of the complainant’s identity.
The association’s Selangor state president, Kirky Lavani, pointed out that there had been a number of complaints of sexual harassment in the legal profession but most of the victims had resolved the issue by reporting the matter to the police and filing a civil suit.
“My view is that even a single case in the legal profession is considered too much as lawyers are there to protect people, not harass them. It is good for the Bar Association to spell out what constitutes sexual harassment and the recent reminder circulars are timely.
