102 child abusers listed
> Employers in related sectors may apply to check ‘Register of Children’ before hiring staff
KUALA LUMPUR: The child register, that materialised in January, contains the names and information on 102 individuals who have been convicted of a crime against a child, including sexual abuse.
To date, there has been no request from any individual or institution to check if any individual is listed in the registry.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the Social Welfare Department is ready to assist anyone who applies to check or screen an individual against the register.
She said the database, which is known as “Register of Children”, is compiled and updated continuously as and when a suspect is convicted for any offence against a child.
Rohani said the department constantly engages the police and the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers on the content of the register, which was created under the Child (Amendment) Act 2016 gazetted last July.
The register, which falls under the purview of the Social Welfare Department director-general, will be useful for selection of staff at schools, non-governmental organisations and institutions dealing with children such as nurseries, childcare centres and kindergartens.
The first phase of the register will involve cross-checking information on offenders while updating it with details on individuals who have been convicted.
“Interested parties like employers in the childcare or education sectors may apply to the department to screen individuals who intend to work with them.
“The screening is to ensure the individuals are free from any criminal record, where a child is a victim,” she said.
The database is confidential and is not accessible to the public.