KUCHING: Many children who are victims of sexual abuse are afraid to report it as they were abused by family members such as their biological father, step father, brother, or grandfather.
However, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said there had been victims who dared to come forward after hearing a talk at a sexual crime advocacy programme organised by her ministry in collaboration with the police.
"That's why we conduct advocacy programmes to make victims aware and informed about the appropriate actions to take.
"In fact, there have been cases identified during our previous advocacy programmes where victims approached the speakers to reveal what had happened to them."
She said when met after witnessing the sponsorship handover to the Sarawak General Hospital's Anjung Kasih and "Bilik Kasih Wanita" here, today.
Nancy said this year, her ministry targeted holding the advocacy programme in 300 schools, adding that they had exceeded the goal, achieving 109 per cent.
The advocacy programme, which also involves the police, had proven effective in raising awareness among victims to report any sexual harassment they experience, she added.
Based on police records, the number of sexual offences involving children had risen by 26.5 per cent from 1,567 cases in 2023 compared to 1,239 in 2022.
The Children Statistics Malaysia 2024 published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia revealed a significant increase of 21.1 per cent in physical sexual abuse cases in 2023, recording 1,389 cases compared to 1,147 cases in 2022.
Cases of non-physical sexual abuse and child pornography recorded 91 and 67 cases respectively in 2023.
Nancy said since most cases occurred within families, it was quite difficult to detect them unless the victim or another family member reported it.
Therefore, she said, the advocacy programme would be implemented continuously, targeting over 10,000 schools nationwide.
She also said media reports about incidents of sexual abuse help raise public awareness to report such cases to the authorities.
"The ministry also introduced a district-level directory method to make it easier for the public to report incidents, in addition to providing a helpline at 15999 to facilitate reporting and assist victims in overcoming these issues," she said.
Meanwhile, Nancy said the 56 children from Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd rescued through Op Global, had been returned to their legal parents and guardians as directed by the court.
"The others are still under further investigation, and we leave it to the court to decide to whom the children will be handed over," she said.