Ya Hui encourages women to call out if they feel uncomfortable
The Singapore actress shared about incidents in her past where she had been touched inappropriately.
In what almost sounds like a #MeToo moment, Ya Hui shared about a minor fumble on set with co-star Elvin Ng touching her butt instead of her back.
However, the local actress told 8world that she knew it was an accident when Ng touched the wrong part of her body for a scene they were filming.
Before anyone feels scandalised or mortified, he apologised and admitted that he hadn’t realised she was that tall.
That said, the 36-year-old confessed to 8world that people had been physically inappropriate in the past and she felt that women should call them out when faced with such situations.
In an article published on Monday (24 July), Ya Hui recalled how her male tutor would get a little handsy when trying to show her some “encouragement”.
This happened when she was in secondary school and whenever she got a question right, he would physically touch her as a sign of encouragement.
While people would mostly give a pat on the back to encourage others, Ya Hui realised that he would place his hand on her back, right around the rib cage, but it came a little too close to her chest.
“I felt that it was very wrong because it happened a few times. So I asked my mum why he had to touch that area and I felt very uncomfortable,” she said, adding that she couldn't recall how he looked like because it happened so many years ago.
In the end, her mother changed tutors for her. It was not mentioned if Ya Hui or her mother had ever confronted him or made a police report.
Clients putting hands around shoulders made her uncomfortable
The actress also recounted meeting people who were a little too physical when she was a newbie in showbiz.
She said, “In the past when we met clients at big events, they like to put their hands around your shoulder when they take a photo. But actually, we’re very uncomfortable with that. As newbies, we also don’t dare to do anything.”
Now, though, Ya Hui will try to shake off their grip by pretending she needs to adjust her outfit and try to sneak away.
Another thing that she feels uncomfortable with? People putting their hands on her waist when taking a photo.
“I think if a guy really respects women, he won’t be like this - unless they’re very good friends or familiar with each other.”
Though Ya Hui admits that she’s now at the stage where she can fend for herself, she also encouraged others (who might be in similar situations) to protect themselves and not solely rely on others to call people out.
If you know it’s wrong or you feel uncomfortable, just raise it up. Just ask, ‘Sorry, can you not place your hand there?’ The one who is trying to be handsy will feel uncomfortable. But if you don’t say it, then wouldn’t he get away with it?Ya Hui
Ya Hui added that many victims might not be aware of who to turn to when they need to talk about this, but she still encouraged them to speak up.
She even admitted that people “of her era” are still not very knowledgeable about this and, in the case of her tutor, some might even think that his actions were okay despite the fact that they might feel uncomfortable.
“I think they shouldn’t suffer in silence. I think they have to be brave and speak up - even if it’s talking to a counsellor. Report this person, otherwise, others may be hurt.”
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