IPOH: A total of 549 sexual abuse cases towards children was reported to the state Welfare Department from 2016 until July 31, this year.
State Social Welfare, Women Development, Family and Welfare committee chairman Wong May Ing said there were 377 rape cases involving children reported since last year, the highest recorded in the state, followed by molest (152 cases) and sodomy (20 cases).
“Meanwhile, a total of 254 physical abuse cases involving children were recorded during the same corresponding period,” she said in reply to a question from Khairuddin Abu Hanipag (BN-Belanja) at the 14th state Legislative Assembly here today.
Wong said the state government, through the Welfare Department, was committed to curb and protect the abused victims.
“Among the measures taken was the enforcement of the legal system through the Child Act 2001 (Amendment 2016) in ensuring the culprits get just punishments.
“The state government is currently working to raise awareness among the public on the child abuse by organising local community prevention programs through the child protection team and child welfare team established under welfare department,” she said.
Wong added that Talian Kasih 15999 was created as a medium for the society to make a report on any child abuse.
“It is also compulsory for kindergartens (Taska) registered with Welfare Department to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) so that no untoward incidents such as abuse, negligence or crime happen towards these children,” she said.
In answering Khairuddin’s supplementary question, Wong said child abuse occurred in the state due to lack of monitoring especially at Taska or homes of babysitters that were not registered with the Welfare Department.
For home babysitting, individuals who take care less than four children were not required to register with the department.
“This is the weakness that we currently have but the Welfare Department will continue monitoring the situation,” she said.
