ALOR SETAR: Two sexual harassment victims from Keat Hwa High School who have lodged police reports urge more victims to come forward.

Through a seven-member group formed by graduates of the school, they conveyed the message to other victims that they were not alone and the act of lodging police reports were not fearful.

“Please come forward as your action will prevent another person from being victimized. Your action begins with a change,” they said.

Both urged parents not to neglect their children’s silence, as the children may be suffering from low morale and are unable to express themselves well.

The duo, a student and a graduate from the school, lodged police reports last month against a male teacher for alleged sexual harassment.

The 34-year-old teacher, who had been teaching at the school since 2016, was suspended from duty and prohibited from entering the school premises to avoid further distress to students pending investigations by the police.

The teacher was detained by the police for investigation.

In the midst of the sexual harassment scandal, the school board announced that the school’s principal Chang Siew Hong had resigned citing health reasons while the vice principal Khor Chee Beng also stepped down on May 1.

In a visual released by the seven-member group, the first victim said the teacher used to remain in school till late night and she was afraid of him as she was living in the school hostel.

She also said she heard from other students that the teacher’s behavior was getting worse where other students, like her, became sexual harassment victims.

After discussing with family members, the victim decided to lodge a police report.

Another victim, a student, claimed she was sexually harassed by the teacher last year.

The second victim was preparing for exam when she received messages from the teacher showing concern for her results and he later sent her sexually-linked messages.

“I was helpless and afraid to inform my friends, teachers and parents,” she said, adding that she was unable to sleep and often ended up with nightmares.