More initiatives rolled out to fight sex crimes against children

THE Special Court for Child Sexual Crimes has disposed of 36 cases involving paedophiles and child rapists who were charged under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, since July 10.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun said the ministry had been collaborating with several agencies to implement programmes and initiatives towards curbing sexual crimes against children, including incest.

She said this included a child safety campaign called “Sahabat B.I.J.A.K”, which involved government agencies like the Education Ministry, Health Department and police.

The campaign is aimed at educating children on safety and recognising sexual threats, including from their family members.

She said 35,281 students, teachers and parents had benefited from the campaign since it began in 2014.

On another note, Azizah said the public could lodge reports on sexual and social issues through the E-Kasih hotline at 15999 and Childline.

She said the reports would be forwarded to the authorities, such as the police and Welfare Department.

“Counselling is provided to victims.”

Azizah said to increase public awareness about sexual crimes, including incest, her ministry had been collaborating with a number of agencies, including Permata, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and CyberSecurity Malaysia. They conducted seminars such as “Sexual Offences Against Children: Stop It” and “Keep Our Women and Children #CyberSafe” this year.

She said this in response to a question by Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (DAP-Lanang) on the number of offenders convicted under the act.

The special court was launched on June 22 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 was passed in April this year and enforced on July 10.

The law aims to protect children aged 18 and below from sexual crimes, in line with the Child Act 2001.

Under the law, offenders of sexual crimes against children could face prison time of between 20 and 30 years and caning.

This includes grooming a child for sexual purposes, and making, possessing and distributing child pornography.