Winking, Sitting at Other’s Desk are Considered Sexual Harassment at Legal Workplaces, Says M’sian Bar

The Malaysian Bar, the professional body which regulates the profession of lawyers in Peninsular Malaysia recently released a circular regarding sexual harassment in the legal profession.

The circular, dated 18 January was issued by Harleen Kaur, the Chairperson of the Bar Council Ad Hoc Peer Support Network Committee and detailed the harassment and situations that constitute sexual harassment in legal workplaces.

The Circular No 025/2024 prescribed 3 categories that constitute sexual harassment and examples of each. These 3 categories include offering benefits for sexual favours, unwanted sexual advancements and sexual coercion.

For offering benefits for sexual favours, the Malaysian Bar stressed that even in jest, offering work-related advantages such as promotions, connections or job security in return for favours such as a date, a hug and others are considered sexual harassment.

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As for unwanted sexual advancements, the professional body asserted that a colleague’s inappropriate comments, gestures or physical contact that create discomfort or distress to others, even if jokingly is also considered harassment.

The Malaysian Bar added that this can be in many forms such as the below:

1. Visual Conduct: Giving suggestive gestures, such as a wink or hand signs
2. Verbal Conduct: Inappropriate comments on appearance and it doesn’t have to necessarily be derogatory
3. Physical Conduct: Includes wolf whistles, blocking one’s path, patting someone on their head and sitting at one’s desk for no reason

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Meanwhile, sexual coercion is threats of retaliation at the workplace involving threatening or intimidating an individual for refusing unwanted advances. These may include explicit or implicit threats of negative consequences such as job loss, demotion or damage to one’s professional reputation should they reject the inappropriate requests.

Accordingly, the Malaysian Bar advises victims to submit complaints of such incidents through its Peer Support Network initiative here while assuring complainants of confidentiality.

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So, what do you guys think of the circular? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Also read: “They see me as a sex object” – 25yo M’sian Girl Sexually Harassed by Co-Workers for Her Full Lips