In response to the letter Social ills, not media sensationalism by Hafiza Ahmad, we would like to point out that firstly, Hafiza is wrong to say that Awam only makes comments when 'things like murder trials are reported in the media'. Awam has made press comments on a wide range of public issues, especially those of special relevance to women.

Secondly, it is nave to think that the media was behaving responsibly because it 'only reported what was said in court.' Hafiza should be aware that the media can and does make choices as to what it publicises.

There are many stories and court cases that do not get reported by the media, presumably because they are considered too 'boring'. And the fact that detailed descriptions of Noritta Samsudin's genitalia were given in court does not mean that the media should publish them.

It could have chosen not to, out of respect for the privacy of the victim and her family.

Thirdly, Hafiza's implication that Noritta's behaviour justifies the media's lack of respect for her privacy is disturbing. Everyone, and especially victims of tragedies and their families, should have their rights to privacy respected.

Hafiza has a right to her opinion on Noritta's alleged behaviour but just because she is disgusted by it, that does not mean that it is right for Noritta's privacy to be violated, and for intimate details about her life and body to be splashed around in the media for people to gawk over. Nor does it mean that she deserved to be murdered.

Fourthly, with regard to Hafiza's view that 'As a woman, I think Awam should be more concerned about the reason why Norita allegedly behaved in the way she did ' Awam would like to clarify that its role is essentially to provide services for women in crises and to do education and advocacy work on women's issues.

It is not to act as a moral guardian for women or to pressure them to behave in a certain way. Thus, Awam is no more inclined to examine the reasons for Noritta's behaviour than it is to examine the reasons for Hafiza's or any other woman's.

Fifthly, in response to Hafiza's statement: 'Please Awam, are you trying to sweep things like this under the carpet under the pretext of media sensationalism? Are you trying to change the topic? The actual problem is moral ills ... ,' we would like to point out that the real issue here is that a woman has been murdered; and that the media so far seems to have had no compunction from benefitting from this tragedy.

We find it disturbing that Hafiza seems more concerned about Noritta's alleged sexual activities than by this fact. Is she suggesting that Noritta deserved to be murdered? And that women who disgust her by their sexual activities or behaviour don't deserve the protection of the law, or the respect of the media?

If Hafiza is interested, we welcome her to our office to learn about the range of work that Awam is doing. She would then realise that rather than trying to sweep social ills under the carpet, Awam has worked hard to address them.

Many of the privileges enjoyed by Hafiza and other Malaysian women today - such as legal protection from domestic violence or legal recourse against sexual harassment - are there because organisations like Awam have worked for them.

We hope that by informing herself about our work, and about issues of gender discrimination, including the role of the media in this regard, Hafiza will be less inclined to make unsubstantiated accusations against us, and will be more inclined to join us in working to protect and uphold the rights of victims of violent crimes and of Malaysian women in general.