GROUP ASSIGNMENT

SOCIAL ISSUE : SEXUAL HARASSMENT

COURSE TITLE/CODE :
UNDERSTANDING ISLAM II - RKF0423

NAME :
1. BALQIS MAISARAH BINTI MD. YUSUF (220146)
2. AMANIE BINTI MAT ADNAN (220690)
3. ALWANI BINTI ABD RASHID (220642)
4. AINA SUFI BINTI NORDIN (220436)

PROGRAMME :
ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

SECTION :
905

LECTURER NAME :
MADAM NUR ‘ADILA BINTI AHMAD

SEMESTER :
SEMESTER 3, 2022/2023
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Home Articles Sexual Harassment in Malaysia: Factors, E!ects and Prevention Measures

Articles

Sexual Harassment in Malaysia: Factors, Effects and Prevention

Causes

effect
JOIN TELEGRAM
The case of sexual harassment in Malaysia is no stranger to its people. This is because the issue of sexual harassment is becoming more and more widespread and it
is even sadder when the victims of this sexual harassment are not only adults, but children who have not yet known the world are also victims.

Sexual harassment can also happen through the internet, for example sending obscene pictures or messages on social media. As a result of the prevalence of sexual
harassment, people began to normalize this cursed act by saying that it is a normal part of life when being harassed in this way.

Unfortunately, no sane human being on this earth would ask for something that could traumatize and adversely affect a person's psyche.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the media without fail reported the increasing cases of sexual harassment throughout Malaysia.

On 12 February 2021, Malaysia was shocked by an incident on social media about an unethical policeman who shamelessly and shamelessly asked a woman about
her underwear and said that if the woman showed her breasts, the policeman would not sue her. Fortunately, the woman filed a police report and the case is still
under investigation.

First of all, how can a policeman who is supposed to be responsible for preserving and protecting the people treat women like that? Second, does the police officer
have no shame in him and lastly does the police officer have no respect for women? If it is true that the officer is guilty, severe action should be taken against the
officer.

What is most troubling right now is the actions of a few people who blame the victims. 'Your clothes do not cover your private parts', 'your actions have invited
predators to commit sexual harassment' and so on.

Clothing is often blamed in this regard while Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country. It would be inappropriate if clothes were to blame because not
all religions instruct their followers to cover their private parts.

Therefore, men need to guard their views and their passions. The way a person dresses does not signify that a person is asking to be harassed.

As a human being, respecting each other is a noble value that should have been instilled in you from a young age. This is not to cancel the obligation to cover the
aurat. Indeed, covering the private parts is an obligation for every Muslim on this earth.

However, this should not be used as a reason why a person is harassed when sexually harassing is a person's choice. The individual can simply ignore and lower his
gaze instead of taking action to sexually harass.

Factors of Sexual Disorder

Monalisha Farhani and Azizan Morshidi stated in their article in 2017 that one of the factors in the occurrence of sexual harassment is due to the personality and
behavior of the victim which causes men's desire to express their desire towards the victim.
2
Possession of power can also be a cause of sexual harassment. According to organizational theory, the organizational structure of the company that usually places
men in positions of more authority than women causes them to be more inclined to abuse their power to do anything to their subordinates, especially to their female
employees.
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Next, the factor to this sexual harassment is that the predators, whether male or female, fail to restrain themselves and their lust from doing such things. Every
human being who is alive definitely has a passion that is gifted by God, so it is the responsibility of the human being to take care of the passion so that it is not
driven towards darkness and disobedience.
4
In addition, the freedom of the internet that provides pornographic material also contributes to sexual harassment. The internet nowadays has proven to be very
accessible to people of all ages. This can cause pornographic material that is seen to become integrated with oneself and then consider it as normal and say or do the
act to others without realizing that the act is sexual harassment.

Parents should provide early education to children and control their activities so that they do not get caught up with viewing materials that are not suitable for their
age.
S

Furthermore, the society that normalizes sexual harassment can cause victims to be afraid and not confident to reveal the act of sexual harassment of the predator.
Many people who make a report at the police station about sexual harassment end up being laughed at or blamed back by the police.

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On social media there is no less activity in normalizing sexual harassment and blaming the victim. This sexual harassment should not be normalized because the
victim can feel traumatized by the surroundings and this can interfere with their mental health.

Blaming the victim also needs to be stopped because it can cause the victim to feel insecure about themselves. Both of these issues should be raised because the act
of sexual harassment and blaming the victim is a very immoral act. Today's society which often normalizes sexual harassment has also unknowingly contributed to
the increasing number of cases of sexual harassment day by day.

Effects of Sexual Harassment on Victims

Victims also tend to get depression which can lead to suicide cases.

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Emotionally, victims feel ashamed of society looking askance at them simply because society thinks they have been touched. This can also contribute to why the
victim chooses to remain silent and not make a report about the sexual harassment he faces.
As a concerned society, the plight of victims needs to be defended and given attention and understanding of their perspective as victims of sexual harassment by not
blaming the victim.

Suggested
Malay Measures to Prevent Sexual Harassment
English

Among the preventive measures that can be taken to eradicate cases of sexual harassment is to implement sexual education in Malaysia.

Since the cases of sexual harassment are getting out of control and the victims do not know the age, it is important that this sexual education is taught to children to
be given early exposure.

Although this sexual education is considered something very sensitive by society in Malaysia, its benefits cannot be denied. Comprehensive sexual education or
'comprehensive sexuality education' needs to be revealed to children so that they can distinguish between right and wrong behavior. In fact, this sexual education is
able to curb problems in the future, for example promiscuous sex,

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pregnancy of children out of wedlock and also sexual misconduct against children.

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Among the important things that need to be taught to children is the name of private parts of the human body and teach them that private parts are private parts that
need to be taken care of.

Parents also need to educate children not to keep secrets with them and immediately inform parents if there are other parties who do things that make children feel
uncomfortable and awkward.

In addition, all parties need to carry out their responsibilities to avoid this sexual harassment. Men need to lower their gaze and guard against behavior and speech
that can make others around feel uncomfortable.

The women, on the other hand, need to try to take care of themselves by covering their private parts, avoid talking and guarding their gaze. The issue of sexual
harassment can be avoided if all individuals have high respect not only for others, but also for themselves. People who try to protect their self-respect will be more
careful with what they say out of their mouths and what they do with their bodies.

How can victims of sexual harassment get help?

The Women's Center for Change website has explained the actions that can be taken in the event of sexual harassment. If sexual harassment occurs at work, the
matter can be reported to the employer so that action can be taken immediately.

If no action is taken by the employer, the victim can seek help from outside parties, for example by filing a complaint with the Labor Department in their respective
state, filing a police report and possibly suing the harasser by filing a civil suit against the perpetrator under certain circumstances.

Although there is no specific law regarding this sexual harassment, the police can deal with this situation of sexual harassment through several other canons, for
example Section 354: assault or use of criminal force with the intention of disturbing modesty, Section 377D: insult to modesty and Section 509: words or gestures
intended to insult someone's modesty.

With this, the victim must have the courage to come forward and make a police report so that the perpetrator can be brought to justice. It is understandable if the
victim feels afraid and ashamed to make a police report, but only in this way, this sexual harassment can be stopped and action taken instead of continuing. All
parties must be responsible in combating this sexual harassment from continuing to spread.

Finally, to Malaysians, it is important for all levels of society to respect each other and protect themselves and those around them because Malaysia is a multi-racial
and multi-religious country. It is also hoped that Malaysia will be able to implement appropriate punishment for the perpetrators of this sexual harassment in order to
stop this problem from continuing to multiply.

Writer; Siti Nurhafiza binti Abd. Majid, 2nd year student, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
(USIM).

TAGS Sexual harassment

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EDITOR'S PICKS
PART A : INFOGRAPHIC

1
PART B:BRIEF WRITING (ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT)
INTRODUCTION
According to the National Library of Medicine, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
nature constitute sexual harassment when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an
individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or
creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. The issue of sexual harassment
become more and more widespread and it is even sadder when the victims are not only adults,
but children who have not yet known the world are also become victims. Utusan Malaysia
reported the increasing cases of sexual harassment in Malaysia in the last five years, there have
been a total of 5,727 cases of sexual harassment cases involving children through social media.
The objective of this writing is to discuss the issue of sexual harassment based on Islamic
perspective.

BODY
It is well known that the majority of sexual harassment victims are usually female, and an
issue that is always brought up is that women who do not choose to dress modestly are 'asking
for it,' and should therefore take the blame when they are sexually harassed or assaulted. This,
however, is untrue since the statement is both true and false at the same time. Women cannot be
held responsible for being sexually assaulted given that they have done their utmost to cover up
and dress modestly in order to avoid tempting the other gender. As it was stated in Surah
An-Najm, ayah 36-38 :
٣٦ ‫ُف ُمو َس ٰى‬ ُ ‫َأ ْم لَ ْم يُنَبَّْأ بِ َما فِى‬z٣٨ ‫از َر ۭةٌ ِو ْز َر ُأ ْخ َر ٰى‬
ِ ‫صح‬ ِ ‫ َأاَّل ت َِز ُر َو‬٣٧ ‫َوِإ ْب ٰ َر ِهي َم ٱلَّ ِذى َوفَّ ٰ ٓى‬
“Or has he not been informed of what is in the Scripture of Moses and ˹that of˺Abraham,
who perfectly fulfilled his covenant? They state that no soul burdened with sin will bear the
burden of another,” Surah An-Najm 53:36-38

According to this passage from the Quran, it is clearly stated that the only person who
may be held accountable for the deeds of another is that person alone. As both the victim and the
offender are involved in the activity, this can be tied to a situation of sexual harassment;

2
nevertheless, it also serves as evidence that women cannot be held responsible for the conduct of
the person who assaulted them.
As a result, there are numerous solutions to prevent this problem from recurring. The first
and most crucial step is to avoid approaching fornication in the first place, because sexual
harassment is linked to fornication, which is prohibited in Islam. Surah Al-Isra, ayah 32 states
ۖ ‫ٱلزنَ ٰ ٓى‬ ۟ ‫َواَل تَ ْق َرب‬
ِّ ‫ُوا‬
“Do not go near adultery.”
Surah Al-Isra 17:32

It is clear that the phrase is "wa laa taqrabu az-zinaa," which means "and do not approach
fornication," as opposed to "wa laa taznuu," which would indicate "and do not commit
fornication." This means that, no matter how a man feels about a woman, he should not ignite
his desire by focusing on her visually since men are primarily visually stimulated. To prevent
Muslims from getting involved in these disgraceful acts, both the men and women should lower
their gaze and drop their eyes if they are unintentionally staring at the other for a moment too
long since one of the effects of improper use of the eyes is moral deterioration.

Besides that, the other solutions to prevent sexual harassment is covering the awrah . In
order for women and men to have respectful relationships such as the workplace or school, they
must focus on modesty in their behavior. The Quran not only outlines the criteria of modest
dressing but also gives the reasons for doing so, as found in the verses below.

َ ِ‫ك َونِ َسٓا ِء ْٱل ُمْؤ ِمنِينَ يُ ْدنِينَ َعلَ ْي ِه َّن ِمن َجلَ ٰـبِيبِ ِه َّن ۚ ٰ َذل‬
َ‫ك َأ ْدن ٰ َٓى َأن يُ ْع َر ْفنَ فَاَل يُْؤ َذ ْين‬ َ ‫يَ ٰـَٓأيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِ ُّى قُل َأِّل ْز ٰ َو ِج‬
َ ِ‫ك َوبَنَات‬
ۗ ٥٩ ‫َّحي ًۭما‬ِ ‫َو َكانَ ٱهَّلل َغفُو ۭ ًرا ر‬
O Prophet! Ask your wives, daughters, and believing women to draw their cloaks over
their bodies. In this way it is more likely that they will be recognized ˹as virtuous˺ and not be
harassed. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah Al-Ahzab 33:59

This verse makes it incumbent on the believing women to conceal their beauty and
adornment from strangers. It is submitted that indecent and proactive dress attracts eyes and

3
inevitably may attract other despicable acts and behavior. It cannot be denied that even women
who are modestly dressed have occasionally experience sexual harassment. However, in a
society where both men and women are dressed modestly and decently it could avoid
unnecessary glances and further advancements from the opposite sex, and thus, could minimize
the risk of being sexually harassed.

Moreover, prohibition of the act of a man and a woman who are non-mahram being close
proximity in Islam, are one of the preventives measures of sexual harrasment. According to the
statement of the Prophet PBUH :
‫اَل َي ْخلُ َونَّ َر ُج ٌل ِبامْ َرَأ ٍة ِإاَّل َو َم َع َها ُذو َمحْ َر ٍم‬
“No person (man) should be alone with a woman except when there is a Mahram with her”
Sahih Muslim (1341)

Mahram here refers to either her husband or any male relative with whom her marriage is
permanently prohibited. In light of this, it is wise that a man and a woman that non-mahram must
not be alone, because it could lead to fitnah, bad assumptions, or prejudice, which are more
harmful than falling into sin, fornication, or destroying the family. Eventhough the original ruling
of being in close proximity between a man and a woman is haram, there are some conditions that
make it permissible when the place is where people always frequent, equipped with safety
system and safe from fitnah (does not cause doubt or bad assumptions). In short, it is permissible
only when one’s safety is ensured.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, sexual harassment is prohibited in Islam as it is considered as an act of
fornication. Islamic law does not allow fornication and harassment or any actions that are similar
to it. As a muslims, we need to avoid getting involved in doing things that are against our
religion. Moreover, Allah S.W.T cursed those who did not follow his commandment. The act of
sexual harassment does not only give impact to the victim but also the doer and the society as it
will change people perspective on what the society is like. Thus, it is important for every each of
us to take part in making sure the act of sexual harassment can be avoid by obeying the rules that
has been stated in Islamic laws in order for us and the society to achieve Allah blessing in the
world and hereafter.

4
REFERENCES

Irsyad al fatwa series 351: The ruling of a woman and a man riding a lift together. (2019,
December 31). Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan.
https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/irsyad-fatwa/irsyad-fatwa-umum-cat/3920-irsyad-al-fatwa-seri
es-351-the-ruling-of-a-woman-and-a-man-riding-a-lift-together

Islamic position on sexual assault & harassment- Reviewing the canonical evidence. (2023).
Academia.edu - Share research.
https://www.academia.edu/1899311/Islamic_Position_on_Sexual_Assault_and_Harassment_Rev
iewing_the_Canonical_Evidence

Prevention of sexual harassment: The Islamic law (Syariah) perspective | Mohamed | Journal of
law, policy and globalization. (2014). Academic Hosting & Event Management Solutions.
https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/ILPG/article/view/18580/18717

Centre for Labour Research. (2023, January 6). Harassment. Islamic Labour Code.
https://islamiclabourcode.org/harrassment/

5
 GRADING RUBRIC FOR INFOGRAPHIC (8 MARKS) GRADING RUBRIC FOR BRIEF WRITING (12 MARKS)

Criteria:
3 2 1 Score Criteria 3 2 1 Score
Content
Coverage of
Accurately define and Successfully define and Able to define and explains: Writing is very organised and well-
the issue
explains: The issue covered. explains: The issue covered. The issue covered. Organisation structured in displaying all the Writing is organised and well-
(3 m) Writing displays only one (1)
(3 m) three (3) elements (an introduction, structured in displaying any two
Criteria: element.
3 2 1 Score a body, and a conclusion. (2) of the elements.
Content

Three (3) Accurately identify and Successfully identify and Able to identify and
Causes (3 m) explains three (3) causes. explains. explains. The paragraphs are constantly
Development The paragraphs are moderately The paragraphs are relatively
clear, coherent, and support the
OR (3 m) supporting the main points/ideas. coherent and occasionally
main points/ ideas.
support the main points/ideas.
Criteria:
Content 2 1 Score
Criteria 9 6 3 Score
Two (2) Successfully identify and Able to identify and explains
Causes (2 m) explains two (2) causes. two (2) causes.
Content-
OR Islamic Sufficiently providing three (3) Able to produce one (1)
Able to produce two (2) solutions
perspective on solutions with supporting solution with supporting
Criteria: with supporting evidence.
1 0 Score the topic. evidence. evidence.
Content
(9 m)
One (1) Able to identify and explains Unable to identify and
Cause (1 m) one (1) cause. explains any cause. Criteria 3 1
2 Score

Criteria:
3 2 1 Score Writing is smooth, coherent, and
Content Lacks creativity in style.
consistent with the main idea.
Three (3) Sentences are varied and Unrelated word choice to the
Accurately identify: Successfully identify: Able to identify: Style
Effects inconsistent with the main idea. main idea.
Three (3) effects. Two (2) effects. One (1) effect. (3 m) Sentences are strong and expressive
(3 m) with varied structures.
Slightly free from plagiarism. A lot of plagiarism.
OR
Free from plagiarism.
Criteria:
2 1 Score
Content
Written work has several errors
Two (2) Successfully identify and Able to identify and explains Words are chosen with correct
Choice of words Words are well chosen with correct in sentence structure, spelling,
Effects (2 m) explains two (2) effects. two (2) effects. spelling and punctuation.
(3 m) spelling and punctuation. and punctuation.

OR
Criteria:
1 0 Score Approximately meets all format Slightly meets all format and
Content Meets all format and assignment
and assignment requirements and assignment requirements and
requirements and evidence
One (1) Able to identify and explains Unable to identify and Format and evidence attention to detail; all evidence attention to detail; all
attention to detail; all items on the
Effect (1 m) one (1) effect. explains any effect. References items on the cover page, page items on the cover page, page
cover page, page number, correct
(3 m) number, correct spacing, justified number, correct spacing,
spacing, justified paragraphs, and
paragraphs, and APA's style of justified paragraphs, and APA's
Criteria: APA's style of reference citation.
3 2 1 Score reference citation. style of reference citation.
Content
Graphic design is
Graphic design is related and Graphic design is less
consistently relevant, Total Score /24
sufficient to the issue and is relevant, insufficient and
Design sufficient and visually
eye-catching. messy.
(3 m) appealing.
Words are less readable. Words are non-readable.
* /12
Words are readable.
Criteria:
Content
2 1 Score Calculation for brief writing: 24  2 = 12
Multiple errors in grammar, capitalisation,
Choice of Free of grammatical, capitalisation,
punctuation, and spelling.
words (2 m) punctuation, and spelling errors.

Format and Meets all format and correct citation of Slightly meets all format and correct citation
INFOGRAPHIC + WRITING /20
References references (according to APA styles). of references (according to APA styles).
(2 m)

Total Score /16 *Late submission: DEDUCTION OF MARKS is based on the number of days.
* /8 E.g., late for 10 minutes is equivalent to late for a day = 1 mark will be deducted.
Calculation for infographic: 16  2 = 8
5 days late IS EQUIVALENT TO THE DEDUCTION OF 5 marks.
 NAMES MATRIC NO

1. ALWANI BINTI ABD RASHID 220642

2. BALQIS MAISARAH BINTI MD. YUSUF 220146

4. AMANIE BINTI MAT ADNAN 220690

MADAM NUR ‘ADILA BINTI AHMAD

905
SECTION

SEXUAL HARRASMENT
TOPIC