489 sexual abuse cases recorded in Sabah from 2010 to 2016
KOTA KINABALU: A total of 489 cases of sexual abuse were recorded in Sabah between 2010 and last year.
The figure, furnished by the Sabah Community Welfare Department, includes cases of incest and rape involving individuals below 18.
State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said yesterday most incest cases occurred in remote areas like Kota Marudu, where many children were illiterate.
“The social problem also occurs here, but cases usually involve those who have migrated from rural areas.
“In Sabah, we have a shelter called the Children’s Home to place and protect young victims of sexual abuse,” she said at the Care of Terminally Ill programme here.
Jainab was commenting on statistics that indicated that Sabah had the highest number of incest incidences — 263 cases — from 2010 to May this year.
The figure was revealed by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim at the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.
“I had a post-cabinet meeting (on Friday). I asked the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department about the causes and based on their research, the contributing factors include illiteracy,” said Jainab.
“In Sabah, many (children) are illiterate and they don’t know right from wrong. They trust their parents, grandparents as well as older guardians and that trust is taken advantage of.”
In rural areas, she said, a family lived in a small house with limited space.
Hence, children could be exposed to indecent behaviour, making them vulnerable to sexual abuse.
She said alcohol, drugs and the misuse of technology to obtain pornographic materials were among other factors that contributed to sexual abuse.
“This is worrying and we must tackle it. We are planning to (go to the ground) and engage with villagers, to educate them on the dos and don’ts.
“Sexual education is still considered a taboo, especially among Muslims here.
“But, we need to talk about it and this is the responsibility of everyone. We must broaden our minds and not shy away from such social problems,” she said.