Penang Police Probe Alleged Sexual Harassment of 16-Year-Old Girl

Penang police are investigating the alleged sexual harassment of a 16-year-old girl after she received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number.

In a statement, Penang police chief Dennis Lim said the victim lodged a report two days ago.

"The person had asked the complainant to send a personal video of herself. Several minutes later, the suspect sent a 'view-once' picture of the complainant, with an insulting caption.

"The complainant suspects this was the work of a person from her school," he said, adding that investigations are being held to identify the suspect.

The case is being probed under Section 8 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for seeking child pornography, and Section 507E of the Penal Code for publishing information on one's identity to cause harassment, distress, fear or alarm.

Separately, the Penang education department said it has launched its own internal probe into the student, adding that its immediate priority is to protect the girl.

"Psychosocial support intervention is also being provided to assist the victim," it said, according to Bernama.

Yesterday, the victim's mother, 46, claimed that her daughter has been subjected to sexual harassment and cyberbullying since April.

She said images of her daughter, who works as a part-time model, had been manipulated using artificial intelligence and distributed at her school, other public areas, and on social media.

No suspect has been publicly identified and police investigations are continuing.