KUALA LUMPUR: Survivors of sexual abuse often have to deal with the harsh reality of their abusers not being strangers, but those within their trusted circle.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said parents must be aware that "closeness does not necessarily equate with safety".
Parents, she said, need to play a bigger role in gaining their children's trust and ensuring that they don't suffer in silence.
Confronting the normalisation of abuse is crucial to ensure that the trauma is never accepted as a part of any child's life, said Nancy.
She added that cultural stigma and fear of disrupting familial or societal harmony often perpetuated the silence in such incidents.
"This reluctance to address the issue leaves children to suffer in silence, depriving them of their right to a safe and happy childhood.
"We cannot overlook the fact that abuse often stems from people the child knows well. Parents and guardians must not assume closeness equates with safety," she said.
Nancy also highlighted the importance of education in addressing sexual abuse, noting that awareness must begin at an early age.
"Education is key. Children must be equipped to identify unsafe situations and empowered to report them without fear," she said.
On the rising threat of child sexual exploitation via social media, she said the government was committed to combating the issue.
She said this required "a whole-of-government approach".
"We collaborate with state religious departments to address root causes and ensure protection for children. We also collaborate with the Communications Ministry to ensure social media platforms remain safe for users," she said.
Nancy said the ministry was collaborating with the National Population and Family Development Board to establish initiatives like Cafe@Teen, which provides young people with safe spaces to engage in positive activities and gain access to counsellors.
"These efforts represent a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the vulnerable and foster a society that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of its children."