KUCHING: The recent remarks by Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat suggesting that victims of statutory rape should also be punished are appalling and irresponsible, said Kuching DAPSY secretary Lesley Chong.
Chong said such a proposal trivialises the trauma endured by survivors of sexual violence and perpetuates harmful misconceptions about consent.
“Statutory rape is a serious criminal offence. The law clearly recognises that minors are not mature enough to give consent, which is why the term exists. To suggest otherwise and punish young girls alongside perpetrators is a baseless and ignorant claim,” she said.
Chong warned that remarks from senior law enforcement officers could create a dangerous environment where victims feel they are to blame for crimes committed against them.
“If even senior officers in high positions make comments that put underage girls’ safety at risk, where else should these young women seek protection and justice?” she asked.
She urged the authorities to focus on preventive and educational measures instead, such as comprehensive sex education, teaching healthy decision-making skills, and fostering open and honest conversations about sexual health and consent.
“Survivors of sexual violence deserve protection and justice, not blame or punishment,” Chong stressed.
By Connie Chieng