Aware Responds to Former NMP Who Allegedly Sexually Harassed 2 Women

In her post, Ms Sharul said she was taken aback by this innuendo.

“It was inappropriate and offensive,” she said.

She added that Mr Viswa later sent her an email expressing his “unconditional apology for causing discomfort, offense or hurt, even though it was unintended.”

The former NMP added that he “did not intend the statement about the rose to bear any sexual reference or innuendo” but could “see how it could have come across as such.”

In response to Ms Sharul’s post, doctoral researcher Kiran Kandade commented that she too had been sexually harassed by Mr Viswa while seeking consultancy and training work from him back in 2016.

Ms Kiran shared screenshots of her conversation with Mr Viswa, substantiating her claims.

In their conversations, Mr Viswa appeared to have asked Ms Kiran for a “kiss” at least twice, despite her evident disinterest.

“I have many more such texts and tales of encounters with him,” Ms Kiran said in another comment.

“There’s a lot more he said to me to my face when I went for meetings with him — how he’d like to kiss me, how he’d like to ‘do things’ to me,” she said.

Aware Responds to Former NMP Who Allegedly Sexually Harassed 2 Women

In a separate post, gender equality advocacy group Aware commended the two women for speaking out about their experiences of sexual harassment.

“These cases raise important points about women’s experience of workplace sexual harassment,” the post said.

First is the misconception that victims of sexual harassment have to indicate their displeasure at the time of the incident for it to count.

“It’s not easy to speak up on the spot,” Aware explained.

As Aware pointed out, this kind of thinking deters people from reporting their case at all.

“Often, the harassment happens quickly, and the recipient is taken aback, unsure about what they heard or so offended that they are at a loss for words.”

The women’s rights group also brought up the “ugly and insulting” victim-blaming comments that both Sharul and Kiran have been subjected to.

Believe it or not, some commenters have called the women “loose” and accused them of inviting the sexual harassment on themselves.

In its post, Aware invited Mr Viswa to categorically denounce these attacks on the two women who are simply coming forward to share their harassment experiences.

‘Good’ People Can Do Bad Things

In its post, Aware referred to some commenters who have defended Mr Viswa as a good person and a “gentleman”.

These netizens also brought up his support for women’s rights, and for Aware’s work in particular.

The implication is that because he supports women’s rights, Mr Viswa can’t possibly have sexually harassed a woman.

But, as Aware said, a belief in gender equality does not preclude sexually harassing or assaulting someone.

“There is no simple binary of “good, honourable people” and “bad, misogynist harassers,” it said.

Mr Viswa’s Response

Mr Viswa responded to Aware’s post in the comments section, saying he is “generally averse to vitriol and think that what Aware is asking for is reasonable.”

“I do urge that we desist from using extreme language in putting down views expressed by Ms Channa, Ms Kandade and others in this FB page,” he said.

“In fact, I urge that we all use this opportunity to hear each other without the need to suspend civility. Personally, this episode has been a learning experience.”

Featured Image: Facebook (The Independent Singapore)