PUTRAJAYA: The Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister’s Department, and the Education Ministry (MOE) are joining forces to combat the alarming lack of reported sexual crimes against children. In a joint statement issued today, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek emphasized the urgent need for awareness campaigns to address this issue.
According to the statement, the government is facing a significant challenge in the form of low reporting rates for sexual crimes against children. To tackle this, the Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister’s Department, and MOE are making plans to hold nationwide campaigns. The objective of these campaigns is to highlight the responsibility of every individual to report incidents of sexual abuse involving children.
Failing to report such crimes is a violation of Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, the ministers highlighted. By conducting training of trainers programs, the campaigns will equip teachers and community leaders with the knowledge and skills to effectively detect and report instances of sexual abuse that occur within school settings.
Citing concerning statistics from 2017 to 2023, the ministers underlined the gravity of the situation. During this period, a total of 6,990 victims were reported, with 1,570 cases recorded in 2023 alone. Of particular concern is the fact that the majority of victims were aged between 13 and 15, while 110 cases involved children under the age of six in 2023. Shockingly, over 80 percent of the reported sexual crimes against children involved perpetrators known to the victims, according to police data.
Given the rising trend of such crimes, the ministers emphasized the crucial role that every member of society plays in protecting children from the escalating threat of sexual abuse. By fostering greater awareness and understanding, the government aims to empower individuals to take action and ensure the safety of children.
In conclusion, the Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister’s Department, and MOE are taking a proactive stance in addressing the lack of reported sexual crimes against children. Through nationwide awareness campaigns and targeted training programs, they seek to mobilize the community to fulfill their duty to report instances of sexual abuse. By working collectively, it is hoped that the government can curb this escalating crisis and safeguard the well-being of our children.
