The speed with which the Safe Sport Act is gathering momentum has surprised non-governmental organisations.
Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who only took office last August, has promised to table the draft of the Act in Parliament by year-end.
Women’s groups, meanwhile, had been calling for a review of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, as the legislation has been in the works since the 1990s. In December 2021, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat.
Karen Lai, programme director, Women’s Centre for Change (WCC), Penang, said everyone is entitled to a safe and comfortable working environment, free from discrimination and sexual violence.
“There will always be certain groups susceptible to sexual harassment or sexual abuse, including people working in male-dominated environments such as sports,” said Lai.
“We definitely support a safe environment in sports, whether it is for athletes or coaches.”
She related how a female football coach had quit in 2017, after just a year on the job, as she was constantly harassed verbally, bullied, and manipulated by her fellow coaches, and the academy’s owner.
The coach also worked as a freelance football pundit between 2016 and 2019, and faced similar harassment. Her alleged tormenters were mainly her male colleagues.
The coach spoke out in 2021 after seeing a therapist to deal with the trauma.
“We recognise that it is not only athletes who experience harassment,” said Lai.
“The coach was exploited and positioned in a lower ranking. Her male colleagues, who were not as qualified as she was, earned more than she did.”
“She was denied opportunities for career advancement and exposure because the excuse was, being the only female coach, she could not stay with the male coaches.”
In addition, the coach was constantly harassed and asked by her employer to go to his home, under the pretext of work. The coach received late-night phone calls, and her male colleagues often made degrading, or derogatory comments about women.
“They made sexual remarks and discredited the qualifications of women in football,” said Lai.
“She is not suffering alone. Many football teammates and coaches also reported similar experiences because football is a highly male-dominated field.”
While supportive of the Safe Sport Act, Lai said the proposed amendments to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 would comprehensively protect victims from different walks of life.
In February, the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG), ENGENDER Consultancy, and Young Women Making Change (YWMC) submitted a memorandum to address gaps in the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill.
Among the points raised were that the Bill lacked clarity and certain essential provisions.
This included an unequivocal prohibition of sexual harassment, organisational obligations to prevent and address sexual harassment, protection against victimisation, and an expanded definition of what constitutes sexual harassment.
The group hopes the amendments will be reviewed in time to be passed in Parliament in July.
“We are concerned that the current Bill may not adequately protect victims, whether they are non-athletes, athletes, or coaches,” said Lai.
“If the government passes a Bill that is not complete, you may be better off having a Safe Sport Act.”
Adam Idris, Sisters in Islam’s advocacy, legal service, and research unit manager, also welcomed the Safe Sport Act.
“Until we know how the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill is passed, it is good to have a subsequent Bill that targets, or plugs any gaps.
“Based on what we have read about the proposed Safe Sport Act, it does appear that the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill does address many of the concerns,” said Adam.
“At the end of the day, maybe the Safe Sport Act could be more technical in matters concerning sports itself.”
