2 days ago
Nancy: 1,443 child-related cases recorded in Sarawak last year
Nancy (seated centre) in a group photo with guests and participants of the advocacy programme. – Penerangan photo
KUCHING (Aug 16): A total of 1,443 child-related cases were recorded across Sarawak in 2024, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Citing statistics from the Sarawak Social Welfare Department, she said the figures reflected the real-life challenges faced by children exposed to social risks and protection issues.
'Out of this total, 574 cases involved children requiring care and protection under Section 17 of the Child Act 2001, 364 cases related to out-of-wedlock pregnancies, 306 cases involved children engaged in criminal activities, 53 cases involved uncontrollable children, and 36 cases required immediate protection due to urgent circumstances,' she said when officiating the 'Program Advokasi Perlindungan Kanak-Kanak: Kasih Kanak-Kanak Bersama Kelab Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya (PRS)' at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Sarawak branch here today.
Nancy said cases involving children in criminal activities included thefts of helmets, mobile phones, money, and even items from mosques.
On uncontrollable children, she noted that some may have conditions such as ADHD or autism that families may struggle to manage, stressing the importance of understanding their circumstances before offering support.
'These numbers are not just statistics. Each figure represents a child who needs our care and attention. Our efforts to help and protect these children are an investment in their future and that of the community,' she said.
She highlighted that PRS in schools play a vital role as early detectors of abuse, neglect, bullying, or emotional distress among students.
'In schools, PRS are not just 'friends who listen to problems'. They are the eyes and ears, the information channels, and the protective agents for their peers,' she said.
She said the advocacy programme aimed to equip PRS members with skills to support peers facing mental, social, or emotional problems; prepare them for digital challenges such as cyberbullying and gadget addiction; and guide them on the correct channels to act when protection is needed.
'Sometimes we may notice scars or injuries on our friends. This is where we must care enough to ask — did they fall, or were they abused by someone?' she added.
She commended the collaboration with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Sarawak, noting that this was the first time the programme was held together with PRS at the state level.
'With awareness and empathy, PRS can build a safer environment in schools and become young leaders who are caring, responsible, and agents of positive change in society,' she said.
Also present were Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Sarawak branch director Dr Azizul Ismail, Sarawak Social Welfare Department deputy director Mohd Ali Taib, Yayasan Kebajikan Negara chief executive officer Nordina Haron, and Malaysian Social Institute director Norhaslinda Mohd Sibi.
