They can run but they cannot hide
The predators will soon be the hunted. A new hard-hitting Bill has been ta abl led at the Dewan Rakyat to crack down on those who groom children for sex, whether in person or via social media. The offences are wide-ranging, from touching a child inappropriately to possession of child pornography, and offenders will face jail terms of up to 25 years and be whipped as well. A large number of MPs, the police and former victims have all hailed the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill 2017.
‘Maybe if these laws had been enacted earlier and there was proper education and awareness, I would never have been abused.’ – Lisa (not her real name) who was sexually groomed and raped as a child.
Peggy: Sexually groomed at 12
Peggy Eng was just 12 when she was sexually groomed by a woman claiming to be from the state education board.
“She called my house and said she was going to talk to me about sex education,” said Eng, now 31.
Things escalated to a point where the woman was calling every other day, even teaching Eng how to masturbate using her pet dog, and asking for a meet-up at Eng’s house.
Her parents were horrified when she finally gathered the courage to tell them, but because there are no laws to protect children from this form of abuse, they couldn’t make a police report.
Section 376 in the Penal Code includes statutory rape, but nothing about verbal sexual abuse, or grooming.
That is set to change. The Sexual Offences Against Children Bill 2017, tabled yesterday by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, includes sections on online sexual grooming and non-physical sexual assault, which would have allowed Eng’s parents to prosecute the perpetrator.
“Maybe if these laws existed when I was 12, my parents would have made a report,” said Eng.
Lisa: Raped at 15
Lisa* was 15 when she was groomed and raped by a man in his 30s.
“I thought he was my boyfriend. I was young, I wasn’t thinking straight, and he took advantage of that,” said Lisa, who is now 30.
The rapist, like many others, was never prosecuted.
“He should have been jailed for what he did to a kid,” she said.
“I still don’t know what has happened to him, whether he’s dead or alive. Maybe if I had some closure, it would be easier.”
Nevertheless, Lisa said she is “relieved” the Bill has finally been tabled, and that it would ensure child sexual abusers pay a heavy price for their offences.
“The psychological and emotional scars that come from being sexually abused last a very long time,” said Lisa.
“I wouldn’t want any other child going through what I did.”
Sarah: Abused by relatives at five
Sarah*, now 25, struggled to gain closure and move on with her life. She was sexually abused by her own relatives for nine years, starting from when she was five.
“Without laws to tell me I was innocent, and without a supportive justice system, I always felt like it was my fault,” she said.
“I never spoke about it to anyone, except with a few friends and my boyfriend. “This Bill is a relief,” said Sarah. “Until today, I couldn’t even bear the thought of having children because I was worried they might grow up to go through the same experiences I had as a teenager.”
“Now, I feel more secure, knowing that Malaysia will soon have laws that will protect my children.”
Rosmiati: Daughter was “finger raped”
The announcement of the Bill is also a bittersweet moment for Rosmiati, 54, whose daughter was the victim in the “finger rape” case.
“I’ve been calling for these laws for so long,” she said. “I’m very glad it’s been tabled, but I wish it had been tabled earlier. Maybe then my child would have been safe, and the criminal not released from jail.”
The accused had claimed in his defence that he impregnated her by inserting his semen-smeared finger. He was acquitted based on the legal definition of rape, which covers only penile penetration.
Rosmiati said her family was hurt and angry by the incident but they have moved on.
“I still think about the whole ordeal. The verdict still haunts me but life has to go on. My daughter is doing her further studies and I am looking after her son, who is in kindergarten now.
“Despite what happened, he is a gift from God and we treat him like our own,” she said.
Yasmin: Daughter was gang-raped
Yasmin, 33, is the mother of a 15-year-old girl who was gang-raped by several men in July 2016.
“I was 15 days into my confinement period after giving birth when I got the news of my daughter’s rape,” she said.
“I didn’t know whether to be angry or sad; I just felt so helpless and alone.”
It was also a struggle to make a police report, she said, adding there was no proper support.
“The police treated my daughter like she was a criminal!” she said angrily.
“But it’s those men who should be treated like criminals. Now, they’re out on bail and walking free while my daughter is at home. She hasn’t been to school since the incident.”
She is heartened by the message of support the Government shared at the press conference.
“It made me feel more hopeful, more happy. Suddenly, I don’t feel so alone. Now that the Government is more supportive, I hope my daughter’s case will be settled quickly so we can move on with our lives.”
Sadly, people like Sarah, Eng, and Lisa may never be able to file charges against their abusers because the Bill cannot be applied retroactively; but they take some comfort in the fact that moving forward, other children will be protected.
While both sides of the political divide have come together to support laws against child sexual grooming, it’s clear some parts of the Bill are still up for debate.
“Unfortunately, the Bill is not retrospective, which means past crimes cannot be exposed,” said Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.
“I’ve met with many child survivors, and it just breaks my heart that previous perpetrators will get off scot-free.”
However, the Bill is still open to amendment, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said during a press conference yesterday at Parliament after she tabled the Bill.
“We’re doing this step by step. The most important thing is that the Bill will be an Act soon,” she said.
Azalina was also clear on the Government’s determination to ensure Malaysian children will be safe.
“As MPs, our priority is always the people, especially innocent children. This Bill is a clear warning to all the perpetrators out there. You can run, but you can’t hide.”
* Names have been changed to protect their identities.