The NSWD Alliance said its proposed 'walkout day' this week was necessary to spread awareness on the #MakeSchoolASaferPlace movement. — Picture via TwitterKUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — Several women’s groups today have slammed National Union of The Teaching Profession secretary-general Harry Tan for dismissing systemic sexist, rape, abuse and misogynistic culture in schools.
“It also gives voice to survivors and other civil society stakeholders alike to demand for change. Many teachers are non-perpetrators but practice silence and inaction, instead of immediately reporting the teachers who were perpetrators. Instead of addressing the issue, he questioned the moderators on “facts and data” to prove whether the problem is occurring nationwide.
“This also brings to light the concerning lack of understanding amongst some in the teaching profession about the issue of sexual harassment, which comes hand in hand with the challenge of underreporting amongst survivors due to fear of reprisal, insensitivity by figures of authority, especially the immediate reaction of disbelief , and a lack of survivor-centric redress mechanisms,” said the statement.