KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 23,366 cases of sexual offences against children have been recorded in the last four years, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
As of Sept 22, there were 6,890 rapes, 5,712 cases of physical sexual molestation, 4,333 instances of outraging modesty, and 2,444 cases of sexual harassment, Utusan Malaysia reported.
"The numbers are concerning, especially since some perpetrators are young teenagers and children," Razarudin was quoted saying.
Additionally, there were 1,220 cases of incest, 1,041 cases of unnatural sex, 423 gang rapes, and 347 cases of non-physical sexual abuse.
From 2020 to Sept 22, the Women and Children Sexual Investigation Division (D11) recorded 213 cases of child pornography, 72 cases of communicating sexually with children, and 18 cases of child grooming.
Razarudin said that four cases involved suspects who groomed and met their victims.
He added that rape cases are the most prevalent, with over 90 per cent being statutory rape.
"Many teens being groomed don't realise they are involved in sexual grooming until authorities or parents intervene," he said.
A total of 15,653 arrests related to sexual crimes were made during this period, including 2,873 in 2020, 2,837 in 2021, 3,219 in 2022, 3,844 in 2023, and 2,862 this year.
Most arrests (7,474) were for rape under Section 376 of the Penal Code, followed by physical sexual intercourse (5,793), incest (1,140), and unnatural sex (483).
Additionally, 356 were arrested for non-physical sexual offences, 228 for child pornography, 97 for sexual solicitation or grooming, and 64 for obscenity.