Task force will study sexual harassment, psychology of athletes

A task force has been established to study the issue of sexual harassment and psychology of athletes under the high performance sports programme.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today, the task force led by National Sports Council (NSC) management board member Datuk Marina Chin will prepare a report and make proposals to address sexual harassment.

"She (Marina) will propose short term and long term measures, including guidelines on complaints, the whistle blower policy, the welfare of athletes and matters related to the issue.

"I am sad about the incident and hope for a fair investigation. I urge all parties to respect the privacy of the victim and the national divers," he said in a statement on the alleged rape of a national diver by a diving coach.

On Oct 1, a police report was lodged on the alleged rape incident on Sept 26 at the National Sports Complex at Bukit Jalil.

Following the police report, police arrested a 35 year-old diving coach on Oct 2. The suspect has been on remand from Oct 3-7. The case is investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code.

Khairy leaves it to the police to investigate the case and urged all agencies under the ministry to give their full cooperation.

"The coach has been suspended until the investigation is completed. All the divers will be given counselling by specialists," he added.

The Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) , the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the NSC will conduct an internal investigation on the rape allegation. -- Bernama