Student management assistant, coordinator teacher arrested for alleged sexual harassment of special ed students in Serian schools

Mancha speaking to reporters at the press conference yesterday (Nov 24).

KUCHING, Nov 25: In a distressing incident, a student management assistant and supervising coordinator teacher have been apprehended for alleged sexual harassment involving students in Serian schools.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said the first suspect, a student management assistant, was arrested on Nov 17 following allegations of molesting 15 special education students aged 10 to 14-years-old.

“A total of 12 police reports have been received made by the victim’s caretakers and teachers between Nov 16 and Nov 22.

“The case is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792),” he told a press conference held at Sarawak Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) yesterday (Nov 24).

Meanwhile, for the second arrest, Mancha said three police reports have been received from all three victims aged between 14 to 15-years-old on Nov 22, claiming to have been sexually harassed by the suspect.

He also said the suspect has been arrested on Nov 23 and the case is also being investigated under Section 14(a) together with Section 14(c) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792).

He added that since both cases involve the perpetrator being a teacher who has a relationship of trust with the victims, the provision under Section 16 of the same act provides for an additional prison sentence not exceeding five years and not less than two lashes. — DayakDaily