Opinion | As Malaysia confronts rape culture in schools, conservative norms are being scrutinised
- A Malaysian student last month posted a video reporting one of her teachers telling students: ‘If you want to rape someone make sure they are over 18’
- Rather than the consequences of Islamic conservatism, the controversy is a symptom of a global culture of gendered violence
But the systemic discrimination that produces gendered violence occurs around the world and singling out Islam as the problem risks masking the most damaging underlying factors.
The video was viewed 1.4 million times on Tik Tok, provoking public outrage and furious responses on social media, including harassment, bullying by other teachers and threats of rape and murder directed at Ain. Her school headmistress called her “Satan spawn” and urged her parents to better educate their daughter. Ain responded by creating the hashtag #MakeSchoolASaferPlace.
Harry Tan, the leader of the Malaysian teacher’s union, defended his profession and dismissed accusations of an insidious rape culture in schools. He further argued that Ain’s story was an isolated case.
