Law and order
The new child sexual crimes bill will be tabled in Parliament next week. Here’s what we already know.
WHEN Datuk Ilani Mohd Ibrahim stepped up to talk about the proposed child sexual crimes bill and amendments to existing laws, everyone waited with bated breath.
As the bill is still under wraps, Ilani, parliamentary draftsmen in the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), kept the topic firmly on existing laws, which led to many questions being asked by the audience during the Q&A.
Here are the five points Ilani made during the Q&A session, which we translated into layman’s terms with help from Tham Hui Ying, vice-president of the Association of Women Lawyers:
Current laws are too general. Looking at how technology has affected the way predators approach children, the AGC is working to include more detailed laws against sexual crimes, as well as child-specific laws in the new bill. Punishments will also be changed to suit the severity of the crime.
Guardians – and the term includes parents, teachers and health professionals – who have the highest responsibility towards the child will receive a heavier punishment if found guilty of child abuse.
The definition of rape will be amended to include bodily objects. Previously the legal definition was penile intercourse without the woman’s consent.
The Evidence of Child Witnesses act currently defines a child witness as 16 and below. According to Ilani, there may be an amendment to include children up to 18.
This will allow them the protection provided under the act, such as allowing the victim to testify via video link to lessen any potential trauma stemming from having to be in the same room as his or her abuser.
The bill will also cover online pornographic material. Previously it only included printed pornographic materials or photographs.