2007 04: Panel on women’s and children’s rights formed

The Star online. News. South & East. Saturday April 14, 2007

KOTA KINABALU: A special committee to handle women and children’s rights has been formed by the Sabah Law Association.

SLA president John Sikayun said the sub-committee was set up specifically to deal with cases relating to domestic violence, rape, incest, child abuse, marriage and divorce and sexual harassments at the workplace.

He said the sub-committee to be headed by Nilakrisna James would be mobilising volunteers from within the association and professionals to conduct talks and provide legal advice to local communities in both urban and rural areas of the state.

“We are aware of the serious need to educate the communities on the laws and punishments relating to criminal behaviour that result in violence and abuse of women and children.

“We must bring greater awareness on the causes and effects that lead to such crimes,” he told a press conference here.

Nilakrisna said that among the steps to be taken was to get the cooperation of education authorities, police, prisons, hospitals, welfare groups, NGOs and Suhakam to participate in awareness programmes organised by the committee. She added that educating school leavers and children in particular on behaviour deemed criminal would help prevent them from becoming abusers.