KUALA LUMPUR: The Legal Aid Department will provide legal companion services for the children rescued from welfare homes during Op Global on Wednesday (Sept 11).
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said in a Facebook posting today (Sept 13) said she had instructed the department to reach out to the children and their families.
"I am deeply saddened and strongly condemn the exploitation and sexual crimes against the 402 children at 20 charity homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan," she said.
The victims, aged between one and 17, were allegedly exploited at the welfare homes in question.
Legal companion is a service provided to a child who has been victimised by any criminal sexual assault.
"The Madani government places serious emphasis on issues involving child safety and will not compromise on matters of child abuse.
"The government has implemented various measures and initiatives including the amendments to the Evidence of Child Witness Act, which was approved by the parliament."
She said the act revision was timely and appropriate as it provides for the competence of child witnesses to testify in any proceedings and eliminates the requirement for mandatory corroborative evidence.