Justice for young victims of sexual crimes
KUCHING: The state’s first Special Court for Sexual Crimes Against Children was launched yesterday, with the aim of clearing cases in Sarawak and Sabah within six months upon registration.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Dato Sri Rohani Abdul Karim said the implementation of the court – located at the Kuching High Court Complex – is an important component of the Sexual Crimes Against Children Act which came into force July last year.
“This is the second court in the nation to handle sexual offences against children, following the one launched in Putrajaya in June 2017, and the first in the state.
“The court will be presided by a senior Sessions Court judge while the prosecution will be handled by experienced prosecutors who are experts in child sexual crimes.
“The court is indeed special in its own way as it helps to facilitate the proceeding process, as the victim will be placed in a separate room to provide comfort while testifying without having to face the perpetrator,” she said at a press conference following the launch.
According to Rohani, the existence of such a court would enable cases involving sexual crimes against children to be resolved within six months after being registered in court, thus making the process more effective and efficient.
She said it is important to expedite such cases as victims could be traumatised to the extent where the case as well as their psychological health are affected.
The special court comes with a special witness room equipped with a video-link system to enable the child to give evidence in a safe and comfortable setting.
Also present were Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah and Chief Justice of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Richard Malanjum.