Reports of sexual harassment of men are rare, but almost non-existent, but this does not mean that men are not subjected to this type of abuse, whether from women or other men, according to legal professionals, they explained that Article (359) bis, which was recently amended, was limited to Those crimes are committed against females, by stipulating that he / she shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine not exceeding 10 thousand dirhams, or with one of these two penalties, whoever is subjected to a female in a manner that violates her modesty by saying, working, or using a method of information technology or other .
Article (359) bis, after amending it, states that he shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of no less than a year, and by a fine of no less than 10 thousand dirhams, or by either of these two penalties, whoever commits the crime of sexual harassment, and considers sexual harassment every persecution in harassing others repeatedly Acts, sayings, or signs that offend his modesty with the intention of compelling him to respond to his or her sexual desires, and the penalty shall be imprisonment for a period of no less than two years, and a fine of no less than 50 thousand dirhams, or one of these two punishments, if the perpetrators multiply or carry one of them a weapon Or the perpetrator had a functional, academic or family power over the victim.
Lawyer Youssef Al-Bahr told «Emirates Today» that these amendments aim to broaden the legal protection frameworks in relation to this type of case. The old law used to limit the occurrence of crime to females.
Al-Bahr added that, given the penalties against sexual harassment and indecent assault of a female, a logical progression of the severity of the punishment is commensurate with the crime, in a manner that provides comprehensive legal protection against sexual harassment in all its forms, as well as a deterrent factor from either turning into a systematic behavior.
He explained that the amendment did not address sexual harassment against children, due to the issuance of another law that refutes all criminal acts against this group, and imposes deterrent penalties against the perpetrators.
For his part, Legal Adviser Ahmed Hafez explained that the recent amendment not only presents a new charge, but also recognizes that men can be victims of harassment.
He added that the new amendment does not require the occurrence of crime in public places, unlike the first article, stressing that it is more comprehensive and dealing with the various cases in which this act can occur, and includes various means, which reflects the importance of reviewing legislation and laws, and developing them continuously.
Meanwhile, Lawyer Omar Abdulaziz stated that the recent amendment of the law achieves equality in terms of protection against crimes of a sensitive nature, victims are often kept secret, as it now provides an umbrella for men, after it was previously limited to women, and this represents a fundamental shift in this type of case from Where the scope of victims expanded.
- Amending the law achieves equality in relation to protection against crimes of a sensitive nature.