What is a fetish?

• This is an example of a paraphilia, which is a sexual deviant behaviour
• A person with fetishism gets sexually aroused by an object and event. Examples of these objects include clothing such as underwear, shoes or materials such as feather, leather or rubber.
• Events can include dancing, acting out fantasies or watching violence.
• A person with fetishism is unable to get sexual satisfaction if the object /event is not used in the sexual act.

Example :

A person with leather shoes fetishism would not get sexual satisfaction if his partner does not wear the leather shoes during the sexual act. The partner is then made to wear or use the fetish object. This may cause a strain in their relationship. As a result many relationships and marriages have suffered. (For example: underwear fetish may lead one to steal)

When to seek help?

• Engaged in fetishism.
• Having tendencies towards fetishism.
• In contact with someone with this problem.

Whom and where to seek help from?

The first step is to open up and tell someone whom you trust.

• Family
• Friends
• Teachers/counselors.
• Family doctor.

Some helpful organizations are :

• Link to government agencies
  • Ministry of Health: www.myhealth.gov.my (Ask The Expert) & www.moh.gov.my
  • National Population and Family Development Board: : www.lppkn.gov.my
  • Welfare Department: www.jkm.gov.my
  • Ministry of Education: www.moe.gov.my
  • Department of Islamic Development Malaysia: www.islam.gov.my
• Link to NGO’s
  • Befrienders: www.befrienders.org.my
  • Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism: www.mccbchs.bobjots.org
  • Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia: www.ppim.org.my
  • Federation of Planning Associations Malaysia: www.ffpam.org.my
  • Malaysian Medical Associations: www.mma.org.my
  • Malaysian Psychiatric Associations: www.psychiatry-malaysia.org