Cosplayer Alleges Policeman Blamed Her Costume As Cause For Harassment At Anime Fest 2022
The police officer who allegedly made those remarks is now being investigated for disciplinary infraction.
By Hizral Faiz Rozeman — 18 May 2022, 07:32 PM
A Malaysian cosplayer recently shared her experience of lodging a police report where an officer allegedly blamed the harassment and stalking she encountered on the outfit she was wearing
The cosplayer, who goes by the name of Pudds, shared on Monday night, 16 May, that she was tending to her booth at Anime Fest 2022 in Paradigm Mall, Petaling Jaya and taking pictures with fans before a man suddenly cut the queue and approached her.
In a tweet, Pudds revealed that the man was given a warning by a friend of hers, who was with her at the booth.
But he proceeded to push his way through anyway. When he was stopped by the friend, he then started yelling, crying, and begging to take a picture with Pudds.
It turns out that this man has been allegedly stalking Pudds online and has allegedly refused to leave her alone after multiple warnings from her.
"He even trailed me to my car at the parking lot yesterday," she wrote.
Pudds added that, prior to this, the man had even threatened to die by suicide if she did not unblock him on Discord and other social media platforms.
According to the cosplayer, when she turned to the police to lodge a report, she was met with disdain and unsolicited remarks
Pudds said an officer told her that, "Wearing outfits like these, selling pictures like these, there are consequences. You are also in the wrong."
She said she covered herself up with a jacket while at the police station out of respect.
When the officer asked her age and she told him she was 21, he allegedly told Pudds to "go back to school".
"Why are you doing these things? Are you a model in an agency? If not, then don't do it," she quoted the policeman as saying.
According to Malaysiakini, Petaling Jaya district police chief ACP Mohamad Fakhruddin Abdul Hamid said in a statement yesterday, 17 May, that the police personnel involved would be investigated for disciplinary infraction.
In an update, she lamented that her situation has made her mentally and physically tired
In the latest Instagram post, Pudds said she is exhausted from the stalking, harassment and victim blaming incidents but she assured her followers that she is alright.
"I want to sincerely thank all of you for supporting and looking after me," she wrote in a caption, adding that her inboxes were flooded with words of love and support.
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9.30am - 4.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6082-422660
SMS/WhatsApp: +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 2pm)
Contact: +6088-280200
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (8.30am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6016-2273065 | +6016-7213065
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF’s Reporting Portal.
