Schoolgirl traumatised after classmate harassment, police step in

KUCHING: Police confirmed receiving a report from a school student who claimed she was harassed and threatened by her male classmates.

Padawan district police chief Superintendent Mohd Irwan Hafiz Md Radzi said the girl made the report after she could no longer tolerate the harassment and threats.

He said that an investigation had been opened under Section 507c of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation via communication — covering acts that threaten, insult, or humiliate through any form of communication.

Irwan clarified, however, that the report did not mention any threat to stab the victim, contrary to claims made by an online news portal.

“Yes, the case is under investigation. It involves a student being disturbed by her classmates, but there was no statement about wanting to ‘stab her 300 times’,” he said.

The portal had reported that the female student was allegedly pelted with stones and violently threatened by two male classmates. It cited Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau chief Milton Foo, who said he received a complaint from the victim’s parents.

Foo said that the parents claimed their daughter had been verbally and physically harassed by two male students in her class on Tuesday.

He added that the boys allegedly referenced recent rape and murder cases at other schools and threatened to stab the girl 300 times following sexual assault.

The threats reportedly traumatised the victim, prompting her to inform her parents and the school immediately.

The following day (Oct 22), the school held a meeting with the parents of all students and police personnel to assess the situation. As a result, the school decided to suspend both male students for three days, with one being transferred to a different classroom.

Police reportedly issued a verbal warning to the boys and instructed them to apologise to the victim in person.

The school granted the victim a day off, but her parents, concerned for her psychological well-being, extended her leave until Oct 30 and arranged counselling support.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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