SHAH ALAM, 21 Aug: 825 children in Selangor were abused from January to June, thus causing serious concern.
The Exco for Health, Welfare, Women and Family Affairs, Dr Daroyah Alwi, said that the Petaling district recorded the highest number when 154 children involving 79 girls and 75 boys were abused from the overall total.
She said that the number of children abused in the state since 2012 has shown an increase and it is an alarming number if not taken seriously.
She said that various activities and awareness programmes in collaboration with relevant agencies such as the Social Welfare Department (JKM) have been carried out and will be continued to educate the people about child abuse that is increasing every year.
“Children who are faced with this abuse will be place in shelters supervised by JKM.
“In accordance to the Child Protection Policy, they have the right to be protected and taken care in terms of welfare and JKM is the agency responsible for addressing abuse problems,” she said during the question and answer session at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) yesterday.
Dr Daroyah said that children that are places in six shelters will be given spiritual, emotional and educational lessons.
According to records, in 2012 the number of children abused involved 1,113 cases and this has increased every year 1,142 cases (2013); 1,255 cases (2014) and 825 cases from January to June.
She said that among the factors that were found to be the cause of abuse are financial problems, family disputes, problems at work, types of housing and community attitude.
“Motivational and workshop programmes will also be held for parents to ensure that child abuse cases in the state can be reduced.
“Physical abuse was reported to happen in this state the most. We hope with programmes and awareness activities held, it can reduce the number of cases,” she said.
She said this in reply to an addition question posed by the Taman Medan Assemblyman, Haniza Mohamed Talha (PAS), who wanted to know the cause and type of abuse that happened against children.
NS
