BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – A Legislative Council (LegCo) member has called for a new survey on workplace sexual harassment after an increase in complaints last year.

Hjh Safiah Sheikh Hj Abd Salam said 23 cases of sexual harassment were reported in 2023, compared to 13 cases in 2022 and seven in 2021.

She expressed concern that incidents may be reported, citing fear of repercussions on personal safety, family and jobs — especially if the perpetrators are supervisors — as barriers to disclosure.

Victims may lack awareness of their rights and ways to seek help, Hjh Safiah said the LegCo proceedings on Saturday.

She called on the government to enforce protections for women in the workplace, after the Prime Minister’s Office said back in 2021 it was preparing guidelines to prevent sexual harassment. 

“I hope this policy will clearly and comprehensively define workplace harassment and the steps taken to address the issue,” Hjh Safiah said.

“The enforcement of this policy will demonstrate that the protection and well-being and rights of public servants, especially women, are a priority and are taken seriously by the government.”

The issue was originally raised during LegCo proceedings three years ago but the government has not publicised its guidelines since then.

In 2016, the Women Graduates Association conducted a survey in which 55% of respondents said they had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, or knew a friend or colleague who had. Some 84% of those surveyed said current legal protections were inadequate.

Hjh Safiah suggested the government conduct a new nationwide survey to determine the scale of the problem, as the 2016 study only sampled 150 people. 

Data from the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics showed that in 2022 about 88,000 women were employed in the workforce, compared to 134,000 men.

The LegCo member also proposed the establishment of a dedicated hotline to facilitate reporting and assistance for victims of workplace harassment.

In response, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Hj Nazmi Hj Mohammad acknowledged the prevalence of the issue, and said the Welfare Line 141 has already been set up to facilitate public complaints and assistance on welfare and social issues.

Rise in online crimes against children

Speaking during the same session, Hjh Safiah said there was a rise in online crimes targeting children.

She highlighted the need for stronger legislation to combat online child abuse, adding that existing laws should be updated to address evolving threats.

The member said data from the past three years showed 60 reported cases of child sexual exploitation across major social media platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and Facebook.

“This number may seem small, constituting only 0.07% of over 90,000 children aged 14 and under, but it remains a cause for concern in our small nation because of the rapid increase of these cases.” 

In 2022, MCYS placed 250 children and young persons under the Register of Children and Young Persons in Need of Protection after they were identified to be at risk of abuse, neglect and other welfare issues.