Last week, @PostSeksisme launched a Twitter campaign to promote awareness of sexual harassment. Using the hashtag #tautak, the campaign aims to provide a platform for anyone to share experiences of being sexually harassed in Malaysia.
In Malaysia, we’ve seen a number of high profile cases of sexism: a champion gymnast censured for her “revealing” attire, openly sexist comments by government ministers, and a scholarship winner criticised for not donning the tudung. This time, everyday citizens were invited to share their own experiences.
Tweeters participating in the #tautak campaign mostly raised issues of victim blaming, women being expected to dress or look a certain way, and the general sentiment that sexual harassment is not taken seriously, especially when it happens online or verbally.
Some users tweeted that, very often, they were dismissed as overly sensitive even when sharing their experiences with friends. There were times when nobody believed them and times when a complaint was downplayed as being “typical guy” behaviour.
“Kalau pakai mcm tu she was asking for it.” So ada ke dalam dunia ni a 100% #sexualharassment proof outfit? #tautak pic.twitter.com/OCUH23WXdI
— PostSeksisme (@postseksisme) September 30, 2015
Happened a lot during highschool. When i asked my friends y are they keeping quiet, they replied “let boys be boys” https://t.co/uFuQXK9hTt
— Eponine (@ninaark) October 1, 2015
A huge #sexualharassment issue for me&my friends is when ppl we have to work with take our numbers w’out consent & start texting us #tautak
— Syar S. Alia (@syarsalia) September 28, 2015
While most voices on sexual harassment are from women, it should be kept in mind that this happens to men as well.
🙁 Male friends who are victims of sexual harassment dare not admit because we think it only happens to girls. #tautak @chickenflossbun
— Petra (@petragimbad) September 30, 2015
The #tautak campaign is currently running and all are encouraged to share their stories. Should you prefer not to publicly tweet your experience, @PostSeksisme welcomes direct messages on Twitter or questions on their Ask.fm page. The campaign will run until 4 October.
Justine Tan
