Doing right by abused kids

Source: The Star

SEREMBAN: The public should report child abuse or neglect directly to the authorities instead of uploading such incidents on social media, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said people should contact Talian Kasih at 15999 or provide information via Whatsapp at 019-261 5999 which operates 24 hours daily.

"Please do not upload such information on social media. Sometimes, the authorities would not get the full details regarding the alleged abuse or neglect when such incidents are only shared on social media platforms.

"If you want to help the victim quickly, then please remember the Talian Kasih and our WhatsApp numbers.

"We encourage people to utilise this service fully so that we can conduct thorough investigations, identify the location, individuals involved and other pertinent details," she said at the launch of the state-level Child Protection Advocacy programme at SMK Seri Ampangan here yesterday.

Nancy said local communities, parents, teachers, parent teacher associations and students should help out as the number of cases of children seeking protection or being involved in abuse or neglect cases were on the rise.

In 2022, there were 6,770 such cases followed by 7,520 cases last year.

She added that welfare department officers were stationed at every district to respond swiftly to any complaint of child abuse or neglect.

"The personal information of those who report any such cases to us will be kept confidential.

"Our intention is to help children who are victims," she said, adding that this would also prevent the recurrence of abuse cases which can cost children their lives.

She said the government set up the Child Development Department last year to provide protection to children.

"Children have their rights and we want to improve the overall welfare of children through this department," she said.

On the child protection advocacy programme, Nancy said similar programmes were carried out at schools in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Melaka, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak.

"This year, we hope to have similar programmes in 300 schools nationwide.

"We need to get as many parties involved including the police, the national anti-drug agency and the Communications and Multimedia Commission to reach out to as many children as possible so that they can be protected from abuse and neglect," she added.