KUALA LUMPUR: The rehabilitation of children rescued in Op Global may take a long time, with a different approach needed to get the victims back on track, says child rights activist Dr James Nayagam.
It was reported that 402 children were rescued from alleged exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse, in the major operation on Sept 11.
The victims, aged between 1 and 17, were allegedly exploited at 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
James said a medical approach, with therapy involving psychiatrists, counsellors and welfare workers, must be employed first before addressing the religious aspect in rehabilitating the children, who were believed to be indoctrinated in an alleged deviant teaching.
"The rescued children have been conditioned from young, with absolute loyalty to their leader.
"I've met victims with similar upbringing and learned that it's not as simple as telling them what to do or what is wrong," said the former Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner today.
He said creating a supportive environment for group therapy, one-on-one sessions and enrolling the children in mainstream schools should be carried out first before religious teachers were brought in to guide them.
However, a confrontational approach might result in pushback by the victims.
"Such a deep-rooted mindset could present a challenge to officials handling the children, and rehabilitation could take about six months to a year."
Moving forward, he suggested that the Welfare Department form a team comprising officials from the Health Ministry, police and Education Department, and other relevant agencies to look after the interests of rescued children.
He said the department must take responsibility as the legal guardian of children in Malaysia.
"A child is a child, and children need protection, regardless of where they are.
"The Welfare Department is the expert in protecting children as provided by the Child Act 2001."
Police revealed that the homes were linked to the GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd. GISB had since denied the allegations against them, including sexual abuse, and had threatened to sue those who defame them.