Continuous measures to address rape cases involving minors

KUALA KANGSAR: The Education Ministry views seriously the increase of rape cases involving minors over the past few years.

Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry implemented preventative measures regarding the issue, including cross-ministerial collaboration with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) to carry out advocacy related to sexual harassment.

Among other measures implemented were adding value to the guidelines for the management of sexual harassment in educational institutions as well as training, including the emphasis on advocacy for all teachers.

“At the school level, we reaffirm anti-sexual harassment management, processes, complaints and actions that must be taken immediately as soon as teachers are aware of the incidents.

“That’s why I think commitment from all parties, including parents, is crucial to ensure that the family is safe. The family must be safe first,” she said here yesterday.

Fadhlina said preparation at the school level is crucial, especially in training teachers and instilling awareness among them, adding that there should be no compromise when handling the issue and the perpetrators involved.

She was commenting on Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain’s statement in the media yesterday on the rise in the number of rape cases involving minors over the past few years.

Earlier, Fadhlina officiated at the Islah dan Tajdid Dalam Pemikiran Datuk Dr Siddiq Fadzil seminar at Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah.

She expressed hope that the seminar could reassert several aspects, especially related to 3R (royalty, religion and race) issues, which are being played up by irresponsible parties.