More than 200 cases of child abuse in Penang

Highest count was in Central seberang Perai with 97 cases

GEORGE TOWN: Penang recorded 209 cases of child abuse throughout 2022, says social development and non-muslim affairs committee chairman Chong Eng.

Central Seberang Perai recorded the highest number with 97 cases of sexual, physical or emotional abuse, or negligence, followed by the Timur Laut district (58), North Seberang Perai (21), Barat Daya (19) and South Seberang Perai (14), she said.

“The Social Welfare Department is always ready to provide immediate support to abuse victims in accordance with its standard operating procedure (SOP) such as rescuing children within 10 hours after a complaint of abuse is received,” she said in a reply to Kumaresan Arumugam (PKR-BATU Uban) in the state assembly here yesterday.

Kumaresan had asked about the number of abuse cases involving children, support measures by the state government for victims, and the cause of abuse, reported Bernama.

Chong said the Social Welfare Department would also take the victim to hospital for appropriate treatment and confirmation of abuse by a medical officer, besides providing advisory services and counselling intervention.

“Factors and causes of child abuse include financial problems, negligence of parents or nanny, their state of health, as well as cyber influence,” she said.