KUALA LUMPUR: Children who reside in unregulated institutional care settings will remain at heightened risk of suffering violence and abuse, said the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef).
Its Malaysia representative Robert Gass said children in institutional care need the support of qualified social workers who can monitor welfare homes effectively.
"Unicef stands ready to support the government in protecting children deprived of parental care and preventing unnecessary family-child separation.
"It is time to adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards violence against children in all its forms. Every child has the right to grow up in a supportive family environment," he said in a statement today.
He said Unicef was shocked and appalled by the reports that the 402 children rescued from the 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan had been subjected to exploitation, sexual abuse and neglect.
These children, he added, should be given professional medical and pyschosocial support.
"These children have experienced unimaginable horrors and will need long-term professional medical and psychosocial support.
"The damage caused is serious and often results in lifelong consequences.
"We commend the Police and other authorities for their action and coordination in rescuing these children.
"We hope this action marks the end of their trauma and the beginning of their healing journey," said Gass.