Latest news with #ChildProtectionAdvocacyProgramme
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Over 4,000 child abuse cases in Penang since 2010
GEORGE TOWN: A total of 4,080 child abuse cases have been recorded by the Penang Social Welfare Department since 2010, with 201 cases reported this year up to April. State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said these included physical, sexual and emotional abuse cases which occurred in the five districts in the state. "Of the cases recorded this year, 113 cases involved girls while 88 involved boys and this breakdown shows a long-standing pattern where girls are more likely to be sexual abuse victims. "However, physical and emotional abuse happens at almost identical rates between both genders. Last year, abuse cases rose significantly by 41.9 per cent to 519 cases compared to 2023," she said when contacted by Bernama today. She said that while the numbers are concerning, it also reflects a growing public awareness to report such cases as a result of the various advocacy and educational initiatives taken by the state government over the past few years. Lim also praised the quick action taken by schools to report these cases, citing the recent case involving a 12-year-old girl who is suspected of being abused by her parents. "I view the quick response by the school in reporting the recent abuse case as an important achievement. It proves that the message of child protection has reached the grassroots level, which is the result of the state government's efforts through various awareness programmes," she said. On May 22, police arrested a couple to assist in investigations into the alleged abuse of their 12-year-old daughter, who sustained bruises and cuts on her back — believed to be the result of caning at a house in Sungai Ara near here. Meanwhile, Lim said that in tackling such cases, the state government appreciates the support from its strategic partners, such as the Children's Protection Society (CPS), The Salvation Army, St Nicholas, Women's Centre for Change and Women's Service Centre (PPW), who are always ready to provide temporary shelter for the victims, in addition to working closely with the Social Welfare Department. She added that the state government, together with the relevant agencies, is continuously strengthening collaboration to address the issue of abuse through various initiatives, such as the Child Protection Advocacy Programme, in 30 schools that are aimed at educating children about their rights, identifying abuse situations, and providing information on help channels such as the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline. She said the state government also implemented the TASKA Registration Advocacy Programme to ensure childcare centres operate legally, safely and in compliance with standards, while advocacy programmes are also being actively planned at eight Child Activity Centres (PAKK) as an integrated move to address issues of child abuse and neglect. Lim said the welfare department provides various forms of assistance to help the victims and families, such as immediate protection orders, temporary placement as well as placement in safe institutions, such as Children's Home, Taman Sinar Harapan or Kompleks Penyayang Sinar Kasih, if necessary. She added that counselling services, psychosocial intervention and financial assistance, such as the Child Aid and Foster Child Assistance, as well as legal action, are also provided to ensure that the physical and emotional well-being of the children is safeguarded. She reiterated the important role played by society and urged the public to be more sensitive and to immediately report to the authorities if they suspect any incident of abuse or contact Talian Kasih. She also encouraged community involvement in the rehabilitation process through the Community-Based Rehabilitation (PBK) approach, as well as support networks like the Child Welfare Team, Child Protection Team and active welfare department volunteers on the ground.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- The Sun
4,080 child abuse cases recorded in Penang since 2010, advocacy programmes enhanced
GEORGE TOWN: A total of 4,080 child abuse cases have been recorded by the Penang Social Welfare Department (JKM) since 2010, with 201 cases reported this year up to April. State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said these included physical, sexual and emotional abuse cases which occurred in the five districts in the state. 'Of the cases recorded this year, 113 cases involved girls while 88 involved boys and this breakdown shows a long-standing pattern where girls are more likely to be sexual abuse victims. 'However, physical and emotional abuse happens at almost identical rates between both genders. Last year, abuse cases rose significantly by 41.9 per cent to 519 cases compared to 2023,' she said when contacted by Bernama today. She said that while the numbers are concerning, it also reflects a growing public awareness to report such cases as a result of the various advocacy and educational initiatives taken by the state government over the past few years. Lim also praised the quick action taken by schools to report these cases, citing the recent case involving a 12-year-old girl who is suspected of being abused by her parents. 'I view the quick response by the school in reporting the recent abuse case as an important achievement. It proves that the message of child protection has reached the grassroots level, which is the result of the state government's efforts through various awareness programmes,' she said. On Tuesday (May 20), media reported that the police arrested a couple to assist in the investigation of a 12-year-old girl who sustained bruises and cuts on her back, believed to have been caused by caning in an incident at a house in Sungai Ara near here. Meanwhile, Lim said that in tackling such cases, the state government appreciates the support from its strategic partners, such as the Children's Protection Society (CPS), The Salvation Army, St Nicholas, Women's Centre for Change and Women's Service Centre (PPW), who are always ready to provide temporary shelter for the victims, in addition to working closely with JKM. She added that the state government, together with the relevant agencies, is continuously strengthening collaboration to address the issue of abuse through various initiatives, such as the Child Protection Advocacy Programme, in 30 schools that are aimed at educating children about their rights, identifying abuse situations, and providing information on help channels such as the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline. In addition, she said the state government also implemented the TASKA Registration Advocacy Programme to ensure childcare centres operate legally, safely and in compliance with standards, while advocacy programmes are also being actively planned at eight Child Activity Centres (PAKK) as an integrated move to address issues of child abuse and neglect. Lim said JKM provides various forms of assistance to help the victims and families, such as immediate protection orders, temporary placement as well as placement in safe institutions, such as Children's Home, Taman Sinar Harapan or Kompleks Penyayang Sinar Kasih, if necessary. She added that counselling services, psychosocial intervention and financial assistance, such as Child Aid (BKK) and Foster Child Assistance (BAP), as well as legal action, are also provided to ensure that the physical and emotional well-being of the children is safeguarded. She reiterated the important role played by society and urged the public to be more sensitive and to immediately report to the authorities if they suspect any incident of abuse or contact Talian Kasih. She also encouraged community involvement in the rehabilitation process through the Community-Based Rehabilitation (PBK) approach, as well as support networks like the Child Welfare Team (PKKK), Child Protection Team (PPKK) and active JKM volunteers on the ground.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- The Sun
4,080 child abuse cases recorded in Penang since 2010
GEORGE TOWN: A total of 4,080 child abuse cases have been recorded by the Penang Social Welfare Department (JKM) since 2010, with 201 cases reported this year up to April. State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said these included physical, sexual and emotional abuse cases which occurred in the five districts in the state. 'Of the cases recorded this year, 113 cases involved girls while 88 involved boys and this breakdown shows a long-standing pattern where girls are more likely to be sexual abuse victims. 'However, physical and emotional abuse happens at almost identical rates between both genders. Last year, abuse cases rose significantly by 41.9 per cent to 519 cases compared to 2023,' she said when contacted by Bernama today. She said that while the numbers are concerning, it also reflects a growing public awareness to report such cases as a result of the various advocacy and educational initiatives taken by the state government over the past few years. Lim also praised the quick action taken by schools to report these cases, citing the recent case involving a 12-year-old girl who is suspected of being abused by her parents. 'I view the quick response by the school in reporting the recent abuse case as an important achievement. It proves that the message of child protection has reached the grassroots level, which is the result of the state government's efforts through various awareness programmes,' she said. On Tuesday (May 20), media reported that the police arrested a couple to assist in the investigation of a 12-year-old girl who sustained bruises and cuts on her back, believed to have been caused by caning in an incident at a house in Sungai Ara near here. Meanwhile, Lim said that in tackling such cases, the state government appreciates the support from its strategic partners, such as the Children's Protection Society (CPS), The Salvation Army, St Nicholas, Women's Centre for Change and Women's Service Centre (PPW), who are always ready to provide temporary shelter for the victims, in addition to working closely with JKM. She added that the state government, together with the relevant agencies, is continuously strengthening collaboration to address the issue of abuse through various initiatives, such as the Child Protection Advocacy Programme, in 30 schools that are aimed at educating children about their rights, identifying abuse situations, and providing information on help channels such as the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline. In addition, she said the state government also implemented the TASKA Registration Advocacy Programme to ensure childcare centres operate legally, safely and in compliance with standards, while advocacy programmes are also being actively planned at eight Child Activity Centres (PAKK) as an integrated move to address issues of child abuse and neglect. Lim said JKM provides various forms of assistance to help the victims and families, such as immediate protection orders, temporary placement as well as placement in safe institutions, such as Children's Home, Taman Sinar Harapan or Kompleks Penyayang Sinar Kasih, if necessary. She added that counselling services, psychosocial intervention and financial assistance, such as Child Aid (BKK) and Foster Child Assistance (BAP), as well as legal action, are also provided to ensure that the physical and emotional well-being of the children is safeguarded. She reiterated the important role played by society and urged the public to be more sensitive and to immediately report to the authorities if they suspect any incident of abuse or contact Talian Kasih. She also encouraged community involvement in the rehabilitation process through the Community-Based Rehabilitation (PBK) approach, as well as support networks like the Child Welfare Team (PKKK), Child Protection Team (PPKK) and active JKM volunteers on the ground.
Barnama
19-05-2025
- Barnama
Child Protection Advocacy Programme To Be Held At Rural And Urban Schools
LUNDU (Sarawak), May 19 (Bernama) -- The locations for the implementation of the Child Protection Advocacy Programme: KASIH Kanak-Kanak in educational institutions nationwide this year will comprehensively include both rural and urban schools, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. She said the programme not only aims to raise awareness among students but also the surrounding community on issues of child abuse and neglect. 'It also targets adults, to help them understand the different forms of abuse, which are not limited to physical harm. In addition, children will learn to recognise elements of domestic abuse in the home and be encouraged to report such incidents through the available channels.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- The Sun
Child Protection Advocacy Programme to be held at rural and urban schools
LUNDU: The locations for the implementation of the Child Protection Advocacy Programme: KASIH Kanak-Kanak in educational institutions nationwide this year will comprehensively include both rural and urban schools, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. She said the programme not only aims to raise awareness among students but also the surrounding community on issues of child abuse and neglect. 'It also targets adults, to help them understand the different forms of abuse, which are not limited to physical harm. In addition, children will learn to recognise elements of domestic abuse in the home and be encouraged to report such incidents through the available channels. 'School students will also be informed of their rights as individuals – for example, their right not to be harmed,' she told reporters after the launch of the Sarawak-level 2025 KASIH Kanak-Kanak Child Protection Advocacy Programme here today. Earlier, it was reported that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, through the Social Welfare Department, would continue the advocacy programme in 300 schools and 30 Children's Activity Centres across the country this year. Nancy urged the public to memorise the Talian Kasih helpline, which is available 24 hours a day through two platforms – the toll-free line 15999 and WhatsApp at 019-2615999 – for reporting abuse cases promptly. 'It is a collective responsibility. If a case of abuse involves someone close to us, we must immediately contact Talian Kasih so that counsellors can take further action,' she said.
