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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.
Daily Express
15-05-2025
- Daily Express
Child neglect cases tripled over last 5 years, says welfare department
Published on: Thursday, May 15, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 15, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Social welfare department director-general Che Murad Sayang Ramjan said the rise in cases is concerning and likely underreported due to factors such as social stigma, fear of repercussions, and a lack of awareness. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Child neglect cases in Malaysia almost tripled to an alarming level over the past five years, according to the social welfare department. Its director-general Che Murad Sayang Ramjan said the rise in cases was concerning and likely underreported due to factors such as social stigma, fear of repercussions, and a lack of awareness, Utusan Malaysia reported. Advertisement 'Many families face economic pressures, and sometimes children bear the brunt of this stress. In some cases, parents struggling with addiction take it out on their children,' he was quoted as saying. The department recorded 1,618 child neglect cases in 2020, a number which jumped to 4,126 cases last year. Section 17(1)(d) of the Child Act 2001 defines child neglect as the failure to provide children with basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, affection, and education, which may expose them to harm, including life-threatening situations. The department documented a total of 31,247 child protection and care cases between 2020 and last year, with neglect forming a significant portion. More than 64% of the victims were girls. Sexual abuse cases were also high during the same period, with a total of 9,365 incidents reported. The highest number was recorded in 2023, with 2,523 cases. Citing data from the police, Che Murad said more than 95% of abuse and sexual abuse cases involved perpetrators closely related to the victims, such as biological or step-parents. He also said the unregulated use of social media and easy access to pornographic content were exposing children to risks, including grooming by paedophiles. 'There are cases where AI technology was used to manipulate children's images in inappropriate ways. As technology advances, these threats become harder to combat,' he said. The department launched the KASIH Kanak-Kanak advocacy programme last year in collaboration with the education ministry to counter child sexual abuse. Since its rollout, it has reached 337 schools and benefitted over 128,000 children and 189,000 participants. This year, the programme will expand to 300 more schools and 30 selected children's activity centres. Che Murad advised the public to use the 24-hour hotline (Talian Kasih 15999) to report cases of abuse or neglect. 'Many of these children are abused by those closest to them and don't know where to turn. If they confide in a teacher or a friend, this hotline can help them get the support they need,' he said, adding that all reports will be investigated by the police. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
