‘Specialised training, better enforcement needed’

KUALA LUMPUR: Child protection activists are keeping their fingers crossed in the hope that the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill 2017 will drastically increase the conviction rate of sexual offenders once it comes into effect.

They called for more specialised training for parties involved in detection and conviction of offenders, faster completion of court cases and stronger enforcement.

Child protection consultant Vijayakumari Pillai said she was happy with the first reading of the bill for the act, tabled in the Dewan Rakyat here yesterday, but raised concerns about the poor rate of conviction for offenders.

“It has always been the same... in most cases reported, the offenders are not arrested. I hope the bill touches on increasing the conviction rate drastically.

“In enforcement, police need a lot more training, especially during the investigation process,” she told the New Straits Times.

PS The Children executive director Madeleine Yong said the improvement of all legislation in the best interest of children was a welcomed initiative.

She highlighted the need for fast-tracking sexual abuse cases and allowing uncorroborated evidence as huge plus points to support a child victim.