Kuala lumpur:<Text>

Online sexual harassment is becoming an increasingly serious concern, with victims urged to act quickly to preserve digital evidence as crucial material can easily be deleted or altered, said former Selangor Bar chairman Kokila Vaani Vadiveloo.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the lawyer highlighted that the rapid growth of social media, messaging applications, and other digital platforms has created new avenues for sexual harassment, ranging from obscene messages and cyberstalking to unsolicited explicit images and sexual intimidation. She emphasized that the sooner evidence is preserved, the stronger the legal position becomes, as digital material is susceptible to deletion or alteration.

Kokila advised victims to prioritize their personal safety while preserving evidence such as screenshots, WhatsApp conversations, emails, voice recordings, CCTV footage, photographs, and witness details. She noted that electronic evidence might be admi ssible in court if its authenticity can be established. Malaysia's Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 defines sexual harassment in broad terms, recognizing that harassment can occur in digital spaces.

The lawyer pointed out that Malaysian law, specifically Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, may apply to obscene, offensive, threatening, or harassing communications made through social media, WhatsApp, email, or online platforms. She encouraged victims not to be discouraged from coming forward even if direct evidence is lacking, as courts may consider witness testimony, surrounding circumstances, and consistency of statements in assessing a case.

Kokila stressed that online harassment can be as psychologically damaging as physical harassment due to the rapid spread and permanence of harmful content online, which can lead to emotional trauma, reputational harm, and fear for personal safety. She also advised victims to lodge police reports if criminal conduc t is involved, and workplace-related complaints can be reported to employers, the Labour Department, or the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment.