Despite apologies from actor Fauzi Nawawi and TV channel Astro Warna over recounting a rape scene as an amusing anecdote, experts warned that society needs to treat the issue seriously and with tact, rather than normalising rape and sexual abuse.

"Sexist jokes and rape jokes may not seem like that big of a deal because they are verbal and not physical, but they contribute to the same way of thinking that fuels real-life violence.

"Although these jokes and comments are unfortunately all too common...