The Malaysian Insight

PLEASURE at your fingertips. That was what Juliana Abas (not her real name) thought when she first came across a pornographic video on the internet at her friend’s house.

At just 12, Juliana had no idea what sexual intercourse was but found the images and videos she downloaded enticing. After that, it didn’t take too long for her to be addicted to porn, just as it was usually for boys her age.

“I started watching pornographic videos when I was in standard six.

“At that time, I didn’t know what sex was. But when I found out, I was addicted, and whenever I was home and had Wi-Fi, I would search for porn all the time,” Juliana told The Malaysian Insight.

Unlike the majority of Malaysians, her boarding school did not have internet facilities but as soon as she returned home on weekends or holidays, the petite girl would immediately search for porn.

“My parents never knew what I was up to. And they weren’t very concerned with religious education and such,” she added when asked why she wasn’t monitored at home.

Last May, the government revealed that a survey showed that 35.3% of teenagers admitted to watching pornography, with 60% of the materials obtained from the internet.

The study conducted by the National Population and Family Development Council (LPPKN) found that 4.8% of unmarried Malaysians aged between 13 and 24 were sexually active.

Peer influence

Juliana’s problems with porn addiction escalated when she enrolled into a private college in Shah Alam, where she rented a house with several friends after completing the first year of her studies. Her boyfriend soon moved in.

“All my girlfriends were bringing their boyfriends home. And so did I,” she said.

“We had sex many times. I can’t count how many times.”

Juliana’s problems began in 2015 when she found out she was already four months pregnant.

After giving birth, she handed the child over to foster care and decided that she needed help, which was when she enrolled into a halfway house.

She is just one of the many young girls with a porn and sex addiction currently receiving guidance and counselling at the Raudhatus Sakinah Guidance Centre for Female Adolescents in Selangor.

“If we’re lost in the woods, we need to find high ground to look for a way out. If we get lost in life, we need to seek the higher power, which is Allah,” said Juliana, who has been staying at the halfway house for 14 months now.

At the home, Juliana befriended lanky 19-year-old Maryam Sufie (not her real name), who was eight months pregnant.

Maryam said she was raped by her boyfriend when she was 13.

“At that time, I didn’t think much about it. Initially, I wasn’t willing but after a while, I just got used to it.”

She admitted that she became hooked on sex after getting addicted to internet porn when she was 14.

Flawed education system

Sociologist Dr Kartini Aboo Thalib @ Khalid said that the rise in the number of juvenile delinquencies, including porn and sex addiction, could be traced to an education system that only focused on academic achievement.

“The school system should be holistic and practical in imparting positive and healthy lifestyle principles,” Dr Kartini told The Malaysian Insight.

She said the government should also acknowledge the need to address the increase in mental health issues among the younger generation.

“Teenagers who are addicted to pornography can be categorised as facing mental challenges, and the government needs to provide treatment in the form of intervention.

“Teenagers facing social and family pressure could be looking for ways to fill these gaps… so if they’re not guided properly, they will turn to pornography.”

Juliana said the start of her spiral into sexual addiction began when she couldn’t control her craving for pornography.

“Pornography is the beginning of uncontrolled sexual intercourse,” she said.

“Parents have to control and check their children’s phones. They need to know what their children are doing.”

It’s a warning that Maryam gave to parents and young people alike.

She moved into her boyfriend’s house last year, but when they discovered she was pregnant early this year, their relationship ended. After that, she moved to Rumah Perlindungan Raudhatus Sakinah for support and help as she awaits the birth of her child.

The Kuala Lumpur lass said she regrets her past, and hopes to rebuild her life once her child is born next month.

“My baby will be given up for adoption. Initially, I really wanted to care for the baby myself, but I’m still young and not able to.

“So let someone else care for the child, for his future.” – September 21, 2017.

* Picture gallery here.