Shah alam: Individuals facing online sexual harassment can take their cases to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal to seek justice, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. She explained that under the law, victims subjected to abusive comments online have the right to file a suit at the tribunal for review.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the tribunal, established in March 2024, is highly accessible as victims can represent themselves without needing a lawyer, and all cases must be resolved within 60 days. Teo stated that if harassment occurs online, the tribunal judge will determine if it constitutes sexual harassment and decide whether an apology or monetary award is warranted.

Teo, who is also DAP Women Chief, made these remarks during the launch of the Selangor DAP Women's Free Legal Advice Programme, coinciding with International Women's Day. She acknowledged the significant challenge of pursuing online harassment cases, especially in identifying anonymous perpetrators, who often hide behind fake profiles.

She emphasized the difficulty victims face in initiating legal proceedings when the abuser is anonymous, lacking a face, name, and accountability. Teo also highlighted the growing threat of AI-driven digital violence, such as deepfake pornography, which predominantly targets women, and stressed that technology platforms must be accountable for facilitating such acts.

Teo called for gender-inclusive AI governance, insisting that women should be involved in decision-making processes and that companies must be held accountable, rejecting excuses of algorithmic responsibility. Regarding the new programme, Teo stated that its main aim is to provide initial legal advice in a professional and accessible manner to women in Selangor without legal representation, facilitated by a panel of 10 lawyers.