There were 18 police reports lodged over alleged bullying and sexual harassment cases against students in schools from 2013 to January this year.

The Education Ministry in a written parliamentary reply dated April 3 however said all 18 reports involving 14 girls and four boys were lodged in 2015 and 2016.

“There were no police reports lodged in 2013, 2014 and 2017 for sexual harassment cases in schools,” said the ministry in response to Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai), who requested for the total number of cases recorded and a breakdown according to state, gender and race.

“The ministry views the issue seriously and remains committed in addressing incidents of sexual harassment in schools as it not only tarnishes (the school’s) reputation but also causes long lasting trauma for the victims,” it said.

The ministry further revealed that nine of the victims were aged above 18; five aged between 14 and 12; three aged between 17 and 15; while one was below 11.

Of the 18 police reports, six cases were reported in Selangor, of which five were in 2015 and one case last year.

There were three reports lodged in Kuala Lumpur and three in Negri Sembilan, and one each in Perlis, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak.

According to the statistics, there were no cases reported in Johor, Malacca and Terengganu from 2013 to January this year.

Only 17 cases decided

Nurul Izzah, meanwhile, also requested for the total number of charges filed for bullying and sexual harassment cases over the same period of time.

In response, the ministry said there were 88 related charges filed in 2014, 2015 and 2016, of which 71 are still being heard while 17 cases have been decided.

Of the 17 cases, six cases were given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.

This was from a total of 834 sexual harassment cases investigated, including the 18 cases which occurred in schools.