Budak Sekolah Kena Raba Dalam: Kelas Tudung

We’ve all heard the horror stories. The crowded buses, the dark alleyways, the late-night walks home. But what happens when the predator isn’t a stranger in the shadows? What happens when the danger is sitting next to you, wearing the same uniform, under the watch of a CCTV camera that’s probably broken?

I can already hear the aunties in the WhatsApp group: “Kenapa tak jerit?” (Why didn't she scream?) “Maybe baju ketat?” (She’s wearing a tudung and a baju kurung, Karen. What more do you want?) “Dia orang suka kot.” (Maybe she liked it.)

This post discusses sexual harassment and assault. Reader discretion is advised. Budak Sekolah Kena Raba Dalam Kelas Tudung

Newsflash: It is not.

To the students: If you see something, say something. I know gang culture is strong. I know being a saksi (witness) is scary. But imagine if it was your sister. Wearing a tudung does not make you invisible to evil. Sitting in a classroom does not make you safe from monsters. Being a minor does not make you immune to trauma. We’ve all heard the horror stories

Not in the toilet. Not behind the school hall. In the place where she is supposed to learn algebra, history, and how to be a good citizen.

Predators don’t care about the fabric on your head. They care about power. They care about silence. The fact that this happened to a bertudung girl in a classroom tells me one thing: What happens when the danger is sitting next

This is the most infuriating part. Usually, the school’s first reaction is to protect the school’s name. "Jangan bawa keluar. Nanti nama sekolah terjejas." (Don't bring this outside. The school's reputation will suffer.)

I came across a thread recently that made my blood run cold. A story about a budak sekolah —a schoolgirl wearing a tudung —who was allegedly kena raba (groped) inside her own classroom. Inside. The. Classroom.