KUCHING, Aug 15: Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) is calling for donations to fund its pilot project “#bukansalahkamek: Stop Sexual Violence Campaign”.
The purpose of initiating the project is to build awareness on the seriousness of sexual violence as a social issue in Sarawak and on how to further educate children, students and the general public in ways they can contribute in creating a safer community for all.
“‘#bukansalahkamek: Stop Sexual Violence Campaign by SWWS’ is inspired by the global #metoo movement but accommodated for the local community.
“It is crucial that we address this issue to the public; identifying causes of sexual violence, education at a young age, changing social norms related to the acceptability of violence or those receiving help; and promoting respectful behaviour towards each other.
“Only by discussing sexual violence will its various forms including child sexual abuse, rape, sexual harassment, cyber grooming, blackmail and stalking decrease.
“What we really want is to intervene in the current language we have around this issue and be one step ahead with prevention,” said SWWS in a statement on its GoGetFunding page for the pilot project.
‘bukan salah kamek’ means “It’s not my fault” in the local Sarawak language.
“It has always been second nature for people to suggest that the act of sexual violence perpetrated onto the victims are due to the faults of victims. It’s time to change this mentality,” said SWWS.
This campaign will be running from September to October, through SWWS’ social media platforms as well as a series of events.
The latter includes a film screening that would open up discussions with the audience about the different themes of sexual violence, an outreach programme at schools in the rural area of Lundu, providing training for educators and educating 12-year-old children on Child Safety Awareness.
“Lastly, there will be an exhibition in October to open up the conversation of sexual violence happening in our society.
“With the campaign, we are also trying to invite companies and schools to jump onboard and pledge that they would act upon sexual harassment cases more seriously.
“We hope this campaign will push for the urgent tabling of the Sexual Harassment Bill in Malaysia,” said SWWS.
For more information about SWWS as an NGO, please visit www.sarswws.org. — DayakDaily
