Online Harassment & Abuse

Online harassment comes in many forms—spam, threats, sexual harassment, cyberbullying, and more. It can be a one-time attack or a sustained effort by individuals or groups across different platforms. The goal is often to silence, intimidate, or harm the victim.

What You Can Do

Assess Your Risk

If you feel physically unsafe, trust your instincts. Consider temporarily relocating and informing a trusted person of your whereabouts via a secure channel.

Document Everything

Take screenshots, save links, and record dates. If you decide to report, this evidence can be crucial. If revisiting the content feels too overwhelming, ask a trusted friend for help.

Secure Your Accounts

Set your social media to private, strengthen your passwords, and enable two-factor authentication to prevent further attacks. If necessary, deactivate your account temporarily.

Report, Mute, Block

Most platforms have reporting tools for abuse. Once documented, report the harassers, mute them, and block their accounts.

Report it

While Malaysia doesn’t have specific online harassment laws, existing laws on sexual harassment, hate speech, and violence may apply. You can file complaints with the MCMC or the police.

Reach Out for Support

Online abuse can be isolating. Talk to someone you trust about what happened and how they can support you.

Take Care of Yourself

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Step away from digital spaces if needed, and seek mental health support if you’re struggling.

Know Your Rights

Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia renders it an offence when a person makes, creates, or solicits any content that is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person. Victims of online harassment and violence are generally protected by this Act.

Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 penalises any act of sexual harassment which is defined as “any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, in any form, whether verbal, non-verbal, visual, gestural or physical, directed at a person which is reasonably offensive or humiliating or is a threat to his well-being”. This will extend to sexual harassment committed or assisted by digital technologies.