Cases of sexual violence against minors show an alarming jump of 41.81 per cent this year
Fatimah (right) and (from left) Datin Sri Feona Wan Junaidi, Datin Amar Fatimah Mohd Iskandar, Noriah and Mazlan show the ‘Stop Sexual Crime Against Children’ sign after the forum launching. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa
KUCHING: Cases involving sexual violence against children in Sarawak have increased by 41.81 per cent in the first four months (Jan to April) of this year compared to the same period last year.
Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said 251 of such cases happened between Jan and April this year, compared to 177 cases in the same period last year.
“Police statistics show that the increase in domestic violence cases were the highest with 51 cases (44.74 per cent) from 114 cases in 2016 to 165 cases this year.
“This was followed by outraging modesty cases with an increase of 15 cases (125 per cent) from 12 cases in 2016 to 27 cases this year, rape cases with an increase of nine cases (24.32 per cent) from 37 cases in 2016 to 46 cases this year and sodomy cases with an increase of two cases (100 per cent) from two cases in 2016 to four cases this year.
“Child abuse cases remained unchanged at eight cases for both years. Cases involving baby dumping had declined with three cases (-75 per cent) from four cases in 2016 to one this year,” she said when launching a state-level Forum on Sexual Crime Against Children here yesterday.
Fatimah said most of the victims were between 12 and 15 years old, and that most cases were consensual.
“It often happened that the parents would ask the couple to get married. But based on our observation, this kind of marriage normally will not last. Divorce will normally happen after four to five years.
“There is also evidence showing the connection between domestic violence and marriage at a young age.”
She added that even though Sarawak was not ranked on top in terms of sexual violence against children among states in the country, Sarawakians should not be complacent but take preventive measures to keep such incidents at bay.
“The responsibility to prevent sexual crime against children is not only the responsibility of the government but everybody. Parents monitor and protect their children. The (police) report lodged by the victim is also very important for remembering the facts to be used in court.”
Fatimah said the passing of Sexual Offences Against Children Bill 2017 by Parliament on April 4 this year reflected the government and its partners’ commitment to strengthen the criminal justice system in response to the horrific cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation over the past years.
This was accelerated by digital advancement as sex predators were more creative in their evil designs to get to the children.
“We hope our children will be better protected with this newly passed law. We also hope the law will be effectively enforced so that the perpetrators will not be able to escape from the arms of the law.”
She said the assurance given by the police that sexual crime victims would be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, would give them confidence to report the case.
“We know it is not easy for them (victims) to come forward to report especially with the environment and socio-culture in Sarawak.”
Commenting on the forum, Fatimah said it was a follow up of the national seminar on Sexual Crime Against Children that was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on March 13.
Among its objectives were to increase public awareness on sexual crime against children and ways to protect children from the perpetrators.
The forum was also held to obtain commitment from the community in an effort to prevent and eliminate sexual crime against children as well as providing support services.
The forum, which was participated by 500 participants, was also aimed at explaining to the public the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill 2017.
State police commissioner Datuk Mazlan Mansor, state CID chief Datuk Dev Kumar, and state Women and Family Department director Noriah Ahmad were among those present.