The Star online. News. Nation. Monday September 10, 2007
IPOH: Police have asked a 15-year-old boy to identify two policemen who allegedly beat him up after he was caught selling pirated CDs in Hutan Melintang.
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said the teenager had gone to the Teluk Intan district police station recently to attend an identification parade.
Showing posts with label child protection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child protection. Show all posts
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Sunday, 19 August 2007
2007 08: Centre to shelter sex and abuse victims
The Star Online. News. Nation. Wednesday August 15, 2007
KUANTAN: The state government and police want to establish a “victims and childcare” centre to help those involved in sexual and abuse cases.
Pahang CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Ayob Mohamed said victims would be given shelter pending investigations.
“There is a need for this facility as at present, victims have to be sent to Bukit Aman.
“Bukit Aman also has to serve such victims from Kelantan and Terengganu,” DCP Ayob said in his briefing to Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob at the state police contingent headquarters here yesterday.
Adnan had earlier launched the Pahang tourist police unit, with the first to be located here.
An officer will lead the unit of 12 policemen.
DCP Ayob said the personnel had undergone courses in English, public relations and also briefed on the state’s tourism products.
He said four patrol cars and two motorcycles have been assigned to the unit.
DCP Ayob said the unit would be expanded to cover other popular tourist areas such as Cameron Highlands and Fraser’s Hill.
He said a detailed study was also under way to identify areas which needed new and upgraded police stations.
Welcoming these moves, Adnan said it was important for the police to make their presence felt.
KUANTAN: The state government and police want to establish a “victims and childcare” centre to help those involved in sexual and abuse cases.
Pahang CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Ayob Mohamed said victims would be given shelter pending investigations.
“There is a need for this facility as at present, victims have to be sent to Bukit Aman.
“Bukit Aman also has to serve such victims from Kelantan and Terengganu,” DCP Ayob said in his briefing to Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob at the state police contingent headquarters here yesterday.
Adnan had earlier launched the Pahang tourist police unit, with the first to be located here.
An officer will lead the unit of 12 policemen.
DCP Ayob said the personnel had undergone courses in English, public relations and also briefed on the state’s tourism products.
He said four patrol cars and two motorcycles have been assigned to the unit.
DCP Ayob said the unit would be expanded to cover other popular tourist areas such as Cameron Highlands and Fraser’s Hill.
He said a detailed study was also under way to identify areas which needed new and upgraded police stations.
Welcoming these moves, Adnan said it was important for the police to make their presence felt.
Monday, 13 August 2007
2007 08:Shelter Home to provide legal aid to juveniles in jail
The Star Online. News. Nation. Thursday August 9, 2007
PETALING JAYA: Welfare organisation Shelter Home will provide legal aid to the 700-odd juveniles in Kajang Prison.
Its executive director, James Nayagam, said the bulk of the juveniles were facing very minor offences, and most were held under remand.
“Some of the boys have been stuck in prison for three years because their cases, like Jeff Lee’s, have been postponed umpteen times.
“If no one fights for them or at least takes into consideration their suffering, they will definitely be socially lost forever.
“These are young boys who have committed minor offences being thrown among hardcore criminals. What do you think each passing day in jail would do to them?” asked Nayagam.
He said the organisation has assembled a legal team that would be going out immediately and approach as many juveniles as it could.
While he admitted that not all imprisoned juveniles were totally “innocent,” Nayagam is determined to do what he can to give help to those who deserve it.
“A recent research conducted by Shelter showed that 80% of child offenders came from broken homes and were very socially disturbed.
“One must understand that it is a vicious cycle. If we do not help them now, they give up hope on life and will certainly find difficulty in finding a job or even a life partner for that matter in future,” Nayagam said.
PETALING JAYA: Welfare organisation Shelter Home will provide legal aid to the 700-odd juveniles in Kajang Prison.
Its executive director, James Nayagam, said the bulk of the juveniles were facing very minor offences, and most were held under remand.
“Some of the boys have been stuck in prison for three years because their cases, like Jeff Lee’s, have been postponed umpteen times.
“If no one fights for them or at least takes into consideration their suffering, they will definitely be socially lost forever.
“These are young boys who have committed minor offences being thrown among hardcore criminals. What do you think each passing day in jail would do to them?” asked Nayagam.
He said the organisation has assembled a legal team that would be going out immediately and approach as many juveniles as it could.
While he admitted that not all imprisoned juveniles were totally “innocent,” Nayagam is determined to do what he can to give help to those who deserve it.
“A recent research conducted by Shelter showed that 80% of child offenders came from broken homes and were very socially disturbed.
“One must understand that it is a vicious cycle. If we do not help them now, they give up hope on life and will certainly find difficulty in finding a job or even a life partner for that matter in future,” Nayagam said.
Monday, 23 July 2007
2007 07: Help for the boys behind bars
The Star Online. Metro. Friday July 20, 2007
Kumar (not his real name), 13, has been detained at the Kajang Boys Prison for the past three months for allegedly stealing a handphone.
To bail him out, his parents need to pay RM2,500. The amount is too much for Kumar’s family to afford as they barely have enough to survive.
So Kumar continues to stay behind bars, uncertain of when he would be able to return home again or what the future holds for him, pending a court decision, which can drag on for months.
“When these boys were caught, they were charged under the Penal Code which gives the warrant to send them here,” said Kajang Prison deputy superintendent Ranjit Singh Gurdev Singh.
“People have asked me why parents do not bail their children out, but they do not know of the extreme poverty some of these families have to endure. Some poor parents are happy when their children can find some money of their own. But they are not bothered to know how and where their children get the money from,” said Ranjit Singh.
Currently, there are about 600 teenage boys detained in the prison, of which 400 are under remand while the rest are convicted prisoners.
“It’s sad that these young boys, for some petty offences committed, are spending an undefined amount of time in prison while waiting for their cases to be heard by courts. That’s why the prison has drawn up a list of daily programmes from basic vocational skills to education to help them pick up something while they are here,” Ranjit said.
Also investing their time and effort to help the boys are facilitators from the Shelter Home for Children, who teach basic computer skills, facilitate group therapy sessions, as well as teach examination subjects for those sitting for the PMR and SPM.
“There’s no future for these poor boys without education,” Shelter executive director James Nayagam said.
“When they come out, they would have lost out on education and unable to go back to school again, especially since they have dropped out for three months or so. They carry a stigma that becomes the talk of the town.
“Without acceptance from society, they turn to their old circle of bad friends again and this is what triggers a vicious cycle,” said Nayagam.
He said Shelter Home was very concerned about the mental development of the teenagers.
“These are boys at their prime with their blood rushing. They should be out playing soccer, watching movie with friends, or be involved in activities that keep their brain active. When they are imprisoned, they feel a sense of disappointment, regret, hopelessness and anxiety. About 80% of them have self-esteem that are below average,” Nayagam said.
“I believe rehabilitation is the answer to making them better persons, not punishment. Mental development programmes are vital to help these boys to speak about their parents and upbringing in a therapeutic way. Without being taught to express their feelings, they will grow up to become vengeful adults,” said Nayagam.
He appreciates the good work the prison is doing in helping the boys. But he questions the lack of action by other agencies.
“Where are these parties? What are they doing to help? Why is preference given to VIPs for court hearings when there are boys waiting for people to show them some mercy?” he asked.
Shelter Home workers visit the prison on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to facilitate the various classes for the boys aged between 13 and 19.
It has been three and half years now since the programme started. On Saturdays, Shelter brings in dental and medical teams to conduct check-ups on the boys.
Nayagam also writes recommendation letters addressed to the courts to help reduce jail sentences, reduce bail, or acquit the boys. This year alone, he has, through his recommendations, helped to dispose of cases, provide bail, and acquitted some 200 of them.
Ranjit said 19 boys in the prison were illiterate.
“For this group, the prison conducts the basic 3M (membaca, menulis, mengira) classes to help them read, write, and count. A member of our staff also guides the Muslim boys who don’t know how to pray and know nothing about Islam as they are illiterate,” Ranjit said.
Assistant superintendent Thavamany Gopal said the prison had also started a Putra Programme, where the boys were trained in marching while the Therapeutic Community (TC) programme for convicted prisoners is a behaviour modification and management programme for prisoners convicted on drug addiction and crime.
“At the end of the day, we want them to be assertive enough to say no to drugs. For rape cases, we conduct psycho-drama techniques to help the rapists release their feelings. A lot of self-awareness is involved, as we teach them about respect for women,” said Thavamany, a trained counsellor.
Ranjit later showed StarMetro a cell which has been converted into a library with books donated by the Rotary Club of Ampang. Then, there is another cell with sewing machines for the boys to pick up tailoring skills.
If only the boys were charged differently under the Juvenile Court, they would be sent to Henry Gurney School in Malacca and not end up here.
As for young Kumar, Nayagam will be writing a recommendation letter in order to relocate him to Tunas Bakti, a remand centre with a homely setting.
Shelter Home, meanwhile, is in need of more volunteers to facilitate classes at the prison and funding that would be channelled directly there.
To assist, call 012-314 1100 or 03-7955 0663, or write to P.O Box 23, Jalan Sultan, Petaling Jaya. Alternatively, log on to http://www.shelterhome.org/
Kumar (not his real name), 13, has been detained at the Kajang Boys Prison for the past three months for allegedly stealing a handphone.
To bail him out, his parents need to pay RM2,500. The amount is too much for Kumar’s family to afford as they barely have enough to survive.
So Kumar continues to stay behind bars, uncertain of when he would be able to return home again or what the future holds for him, pending a court decision, which can drag on for months.
“When these boys were caught, they were charged under the Penal Code which gives the warrant to send them here,” said Kajang Prison deputy superintendent Ranjit Singh Gurdev Singh.
“People have asked me why parents do not bail their children out, but they do not know of the extreme poverty some of these families have to endure. Some poor parents are happy when their children can find some money of their own. But they are not bothered to know how and where their children get the money from,” said Ranjit Singh.
Currently, there are about 600 teenage boys detained in the prison, of which 400 are under remand while the rest are convicted prisoners.
“It’s sad that these young boys, for some petty offences committed, are spending an undefined amount of time in prison while waiting for their cases to be heard by courts. That’s why the prison has drawn up a list of daily programmes from basic vocational skills to education to help them pick up something while they are here,” Ranjit said.
Also investing their time and effort to help the boys are facilitators from the Shelter Home for Children, who teach basic computer skills, facilitate group therapy sessions, as well as teach examination subjects for those sitting for the PMR and SPM.
“There’s no future for these poor boys without education,” Shelter executive director James Nayagam said.
“When they come out, they would have lost out on education and unable to go back to school again, especially since they have dropped out for three months or so. They carry a stigma that becomes the talk of the town.
“Without acceptance from society, they turn to their old circle of bad friends again and this is what triggers a vicious cycle,” said Nayagam.
He said Shelter Home was very concerned about the mental development of the teenagers.
“These are boys at their prime with their blood rushing. They should be out playing soccer, watching movie with friends, or be involved in activities that keep their brain active. When they are imprisoned, they feel a sense of disappointment, regret, hopelessness and anxiety. About 80% of them have self-esteem that are below average,” Nayagam said.
“I believe rehabilitation is the answer to making them better persons, not punishment. Mental development programmes are vital to help these boys to speak about their parents and upbringing in a therapeutic way. Without being taught to express their feelings, they will grow up to become vengeful adults,” said Nayagam.
He appreciates the good work the prison is doing in helping the boys. But he questions the lack of action by other agencies.
“Where are these parties? What are they doing to help? Why is preference given to VIPs for court hearings when there are boys waiting for people to show them some mercy?” he asked.
Shelter Home workers visit the prison on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to facilitate the various classes for the boys aged between 13 and 19.
It has been three and half years now since the programme started. On Saturdays, Shelter brings in dental and medical teams to conduct check-ups on the boys.
Nayagam also writes recommendation letters addressed to the courts to help reduce jail sentences, reduce bail, or acquit the boys. This year alone, he has, through his recommendations, helped to dispose of cases, provide bail, and acquitted some 200 of them.
Ranjit said 19 boys in the prison were illiterate.
“For this group, the prison conducts the basic 3M (membaca, menulis, mengira) classes to help them read, write, and count. A member of our staff also guides the Muslim boys who don’t know how to pray and know nothing about Islam as they are illiterate,” Ranjit said.
Assistant superintendent Thavamany Gopal said the prison had also started a Putra Programme, where the boys were trained in marching while the Therapeutic Community (TC) programme for convicted prisoners is a behaviour modification and management programme for prisoners convicted on drug addiction and crime.
“At the end of the day, we want them to be assertive enough to say no to drugs. For rape cases, we conduct psycho-drama techniques to help the rapists release their feelings. A lot of self-awareness is involved, as we teach them about respect for women,” said Thavamany, a trained counsellor.
Ranjit later showed StarMetro a cell which has been converted into a library with books donated by the Rotary Club of Ampang. Then, there is another cell with sewing machines for the boys to pick up tailoring skills.
If only the boys were charged differently under the Juvenile Court, they would be sent to Henry Gurney School in Malacca and not end up here.
As for young Kumar, Nayagam will be writing a recommendation letter in order to relocate him to Tunas Bakti, a remand centre with a homely setting.
Shelter Home, meanwhile, is in need of more volunteers to facilitate classes at the prison and funding that would be channelled directly there.
To assist, call 012-314 1100 or 03-7955 0663, or write to P.O Box 23, Jalan Sultan, Petaling Jaya. Alternatively, log on to http://www.shelterhome.org/
Friday, 20 July 2007
2007 07: Victimising Kids: It’s time to deal with this seriously
NST Online. Letters. 16/7/07
By : DR TAN ENG BEE, Kajang
IN recent months, we have had quite a few reports of crimes committed against children, a situation which prompted Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to state that the police and her ministry would study cases of these terrible crimes to determine why mothers resorted to such action.
Shahrizat is not alone. I believe the entire nation is puzzled as to why children have to bear the brunt of adult fury. Cases of child abuse, rape and beatings are surfacing as never before. Almost every day we read of all sorts of crimes committed against innocent children.
What has gone wrong and what steps can we take to address the problem?
Such crimes against children were little heard of in the past.
The question which many would want to ask is what is happening in our society nowadays as far as crime and treatment of children are concerned? Where have we gone wrong? Why do parents or adults resort to treating children so mercilessly? Has our society lost the human touch and look upon children as mere punching bags?
The best way of seeking answers is to set up a high-powered investigative committee where such a study could be conducted, apart from what Shahrizat is planning to do.
I suggest the committee should consist of the relevant ministries, non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, and knowledgeable and experienced figures who have worked with children or who are well-versed in child affairs.
The high-powered committee would then convene a national meeting to address the problem and to recommend to the authorities as to what should be done to arrest or deter crimes against children.
By : DR TAN ENG BEE, Kajang
IN recent months, we have had quite a few reports of crimes committed against children, a situation which prompted Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to state that the police and her ministry would study cases of these terrible crimes to determine why mothers resorted to such action.
Shahrizat is not alone. I believe the entire nation is puzzled as to why children have to bear the brunt of adult fury. Cases of child abuse, rape and beatings are surfacing as never before. Almost every day we read of all sorts of crimes committed against innocent children.
What has gone wrong and what steps can we take to address the problem?
Such crimes against children were little heard of in the past.
The question which many would want to ask is what is happening in our society nowadays as far as crime and treatment of children are concerned? Where have we gone wrong? Why do parents or adults resort to treating children so mercilessly? Has our society lost the human touch and look upon children as mere punching bags?
The best way of seeking answers is to set up a high-powered investigative committee where such a study could be conducted, apart from what Shahrizat is planning to do.
I suggest the committee should consist of the relevant ministries, non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, and knowledgeable and experienced figures who have worked with children or who are well-versed in child affairs.
The high-powered committee would then convene a national meeting to address the problem and to recommend to the authorities as to what should be done to arrest or deter crimes against children.
Monday, 30 April 2007
2007 04: Focus on children: Insensitive handling of child-abuse issue
NST online. Letters. 24/04/07
By : L.G., Kuala Lumpur
IN a display of the worst kind of sensational journalism, innocent children, allegedly victims of abuse at home were put in front of the TV cameras, in the presence of a studio audience and asked to tell their stories.
No attempt was made to hide their identities.A little boy was asked: "Would you go back to your father? What if your mother came and called you now, would you go back to her?"
At this point, I was so shocked at the insensitivity of the producers of the programme and the presenters that I stopped watching the show called Naalai Namathe which was aired on Astro’s Channel 6 on April 15.
I was told by a friend that subsequently, three girls came on and that one of them said they were all afraid of going out for fear of being found by the alleged perpetrator of the violence against them.
Just how insensitive and irresponsible can a TV show get? Is this the way to discuss the issue of child abuse? If it was not enough that these children suffered abuse, family, friends, peers and the whole country now know their story and they have to face that humiliation, too.
By : L.G., Kuala Lumpur
IN a display of the worst kind of sensational journalism, innocent children, allegedly victims of abuse at home were put in front of the TV cameras, in the presence of a studio audience and asked to tell their stories.
No attempt was made to hide their identities.A little boy was asked: "Would you go back to your father? What if your mother came and called you now, would you go back to her?"
At this point, I was so shocked at the insensitivity of the producers of the programme and the presenters that I stopped watching the show called Naalai Namathe which was aired on Astro’s Channel 6 on April 15.
I was told by a friend that subsequently, three girls came on and that one of them said they were all afraid of going out for fear of being found by the alleged perpetrator of the violence against them.
Just how insensitive and irresponsible can a TV show get? Is this the way to discuss the issue of child abuse? If it was not enough that these children suffered abuse, family, friends, peers and the whole country now know their story and they have to face that humiliation, too.
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.
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.
Thursday, 26 April 2007
2006 11: Stepping up action to protect the kids
The Star online. News. Opinion. Sunday November 19, 2006
Today, on World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, YAM PHUI YEE and NASA MARIA ENTABAN draw attention to strategies being planned to step up the fight against child abuse in Malaysia.
Today, on World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, YAM PHUI YEE and NASA MARIA ENTABAN draw attention to strategies being planned to step up the fight against child abuse in Malaysia.
THE laws are in place, plans for child protection are underway and welfare workers are doing their jobs – yet many children are still victims of abuse.
Today, we remember the number of young persons who were given treatment they did not ask for nor deserve, and we look back at the plans and hopes announced by relevant parties to address the problem, and which have yet to be realised.
First, there is the amendment of law that will enable video recording of statements by abused children to be used in court. As present laws do not allow this, the proposed Evidence of Child Witnesses Act became the talk among child advocates three years ago.
Under this practice, which involves using video recording facilities at Child Protection Units (CPU), children are interviewed by one person instead of a group of adults (normally comprising a doctor, police personnel, welfare department officer and deputy public prosecutor). The recording would ideally replace the child in court proceedings.
This practice, which is used in countries like Britain, enables the child to give an account under a less stressful situation, often revealing information and nuances helpful to the case.
Up to Oct 2006, there have been 970 cases recorded on tape. Unfortunately, these recordings are not valid in court.
“The Act is still at the Bill stage in parliament. We don't know when it will be gazetted,” said Chief Insp Nor Riza Maishah from CPU, Kuala Lumpur.
“Some deputy public prosecutors know about (the recording) and have asked for it to study the child's character and formulate the best approach for the case,” she said.
“While investigation is important, what the child says in court determines the charge. When the child is overwhelmed by fear, he becomes speechless or misses important details. I hope this recording can be used as first oral evidence,” she added.
At present, there are three CPUs in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor respectively, and the police are also looking into setting up a unit in each state and engage officers who can speak the local tongue.
From the 10 pioneers who attended training in 2003, there are now more than 50 officers who are qualified to be interviewers and technicians when more CPUs are set up.
“(When the law is gazetted,) the Royal Malaysian Police dah cukup bersedia dah (really prepared),” said Chief Insp Nor Riza.
Secondly, a register for children who need protection was proposed some time ago but there has yet to be a proper register that keeps tab of cases and which is easily retrievable.
Without such a facility, repeated cases could go unnoticed and, worse, no one would know the actual figure of child abuse cases in the country.
Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Sham Kasim who heads the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (Scan) team said that in a severe abuse case, it is often a repeated one but in the absence of a tracking system, it is not discovered when the case is reported at a different location.
A spokesperson for the Social Welfare Department (JKM) revealed that the number of child abuse cases reported with the police, hospital and its department does not tally. JKM, whose officers act as a protector for abused children, is the ideal point for this centralised registry.
“The police do not hand over their reports to us if they don't need our assistance. The cases should still come to us, even if the abused child has died, because there is a danger of the perpetrator abusing other children in the family,” the spokesperson said.
Other instances of cases not being brought to JKM is when the child goes back home to the abuser or when the child dies as a result of the abuse.
With about 1,000 cases reported to JKM annually, a well-equipped resource centre and a consistent way of documenting the data are needed.
“There are medical-legal issues when it comes to writing down who the perpetrator is (prior charge),” said the source.
Also, it has to be a well thought-out system since a typo error on a person’s name or change of address could lead to a case being undetected.
If the responsibility of defending abused children lies on the shoulders of JKM alone, the battle is a frustrating one. Thus, it is encouraging members of the public to become volunteers with its Child Protection Team (CPT), which cares for and protects the children. It also provides activity centres for children to go to.
“The role of the teams is to be the eyes and ears of JKM. So far they are effective – their programmes include motivational seminars, campaigns, and counselling sessions,” the JKM spokesperson said.
What is required of the volunteers is that they must be from the area and are able to blend in and approach the victim and the family. The work calls for commitment, not just lip service or short-lived passion.
“It takes up too much time. There are just a few doing everything – organising talks for parents, programmes for kids, taking them for trips – and they are all volunteers,” said Vijayakumari Pillai, who used to serve in a CPT.
“It needs very committed volunteers. Some volunteers take up a case, and after they know how it works they drop out.” Tackling child abuse does involve a committed and concerted effort at all levels.
Today, we remember the number of young persons who were given treatment they did not ask for nor deserve, and we look back at the plans and hopes announced by relevant parties to address the problem, and which have yet to be realised.
First, there is the amendment of law that will enable video recording of statements by abused children to be used in court. As present laws do not allow this, the proposed Evidence of Child Witnesses Act became the talk among child advocates three years ago.
Under this practice, which involves using video recording facilities at Child Protection Units (CPU), children are interviewed by one person instead of a group of adults (normally comprising a doctor, police personnel, welfare department officer and deputy public prosecutor). The recording would ideally replace the child in court proceedings.
This practice, which is used in countries like Britain, enables the child to give an account under a less stressful situation, often revealing information and nuances helpful to the case.
Up to Oct 2006, there have been 970 cases recorded on tape. Unfortunately, these recordings are not valid in court.
“The Act is still at the Bill stage in parliament. We don't know when it will be gazetted,” said Chief Insp Nor Riza Maishah from CPU, Kuala Lumpur.
“Some deputy public prosecutors know about (the recording) and have asked for it to study the child's character and formulate the best approach for the case,” she said.
“While investigation is important, what the child says in court determines the charge. When the child is overwhelmed by fear, he becomes speechless or misses important details. I hope this recording can be used as first oral evidence,” she added.
At present, there are three CPUs in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor respectively, and the police are also looking into setting up a unit in each state and engage officers who can speak the local tongue.
From the 10 pioneers who attended training in 2003, there are now more than 50 officers who are qualified to be interviewers and technicians when more CPUs are set up.
“(When the law is gazetted,) the Royal Malaysian Police dah cukup bersedia dah (really prepared),” said Chief Insp Nor Riza.
Secondly, a register for children who need protection was proposed some time ago but there has yet to be a proper register that keeps tab of cases and which is easily retrievable.
Without such a facility, repeated cases could go unnoticed and, worse, no one would know the actual figure of child abuse cases in the country.
Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Sham Kasim who heads the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (Scan) team said that in a severe abuse case, it is often a repeated one but in the absence of a tracking system, it is not discovered when the case is reported at a different location.
A spokesperson for the Social Welfare Department (JKM) revealed that the number of child abuse cases reported with the police, hospital and its department does not tally. JKM, whose officers act as a protector for abused children, is the ideal point for this centralised registry.
“The police do not hand over their reports to us if they don't need our assistance. The cases should still come to us, even if the abused child has died, because there is a danger of the perpetrator abusing other children in the family,” the spokesperson said.
Other instances of cases not being brought to JKM is when the child goes back home to the abuser or when the child dies as a result of the abuse.
With about 1,000 cases reported to JKM annually, a well-equipped resource centre and a consistent way of documenting the data are needed.
“There are medical-legal issues when it comes to writing down who the perpetrator is (prior charge),” said the source.
Also, it has to be a well thought-out system since a typo error on a person’s name or change of address could lead to a case being undetected.
If the responsibility of defending abused children lies on the shoulders of JKM alone, the battle is a frustrating one. Thus, it is encouraging members of the public to become volunteers with its Child Protection Team (CPT), which cares for and protects the children. It also provides activity centres for children to go to.
“The role of the teams is to be the eyes and ears of JKM. So far they are effective – their programmes include motivational seminars, campaigns, and counselling sessions,” the JKM spokesperson said.
What is required of the volunteers is that they must be from the area and are able to blend in and approach the victim and the family. The work calls for commitment, not just lip service or short-lived passion.
“It takes up too much time. There are just a few doing everything – organising talks for parents, programmes for kids, taking them for trips – and they are all volunteers,” said Vijayakumari Pillai, who used to serve in a CPT.
“It needs very committed volunteers. Some volunteers take up a case, and after they know how it works they drop out.” Tackling child abuse does involve a committed and concerted effort at all levels.
Vijayakumari: ‘CPT needs very committed volunteers’
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