Malaysia is ranked 23rd out of 60 countries in the 2019 Out of The Shadows Index which examines how nations respond to the threat of sexual violence against children.
It sounds good on the surface, but upon closer examination, it shows that the government is not doing enough to educate young children about these crimes.
Yesterday, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff revealed the ranking when announcing 1,721 sexual crime cases involving children were reported to the police in the first six months of the year. She added another 813 cases were with the Special Court.
“Why is the deputy minister so proud Malaysia is ranked No 23?” asked Sabah Women Action Resource Group (Sawo) president Winnie Yee.
“Score is the weighted average of four categories – environment, legal framework, government commitment and capacity and engagement: industry, civil society and media.
“Malaysia has an overall score of 54.5, but it only scores 39 out of 100 for government commitment and capacity and engagement.
“Doesn’t this indicate the government is not doing enough to prevent such crimes?”
For the record, Malaysia scored 64 for environment, 68 for legal framework and 55 for engagement: industry, civil society and media.
Yee said the 68 given for legal framework is misleading as it only refers to the civil and Shariah laws, but in East Malaysia, there is also ‘adat’ laws.
“That’s why there are so many child marriages in East Malaysia as it follows the ‘adat’ laws,” said Yee.
“Also, many cases still go unreported. I believe there are at least 10 times the 1,721 sexual crime cases figure that the deputy minister announced (yesterday).
“In Sabah, many cases, especially in the rural areas, go unreported as the police stations are far away.
“Also, many of the perpetrators are family members. So, other family members don’t want to make a fuss.”
Yee also took offence to Siti Zailah’s claims that “the government was going all out to educate school children on sexual crimes and looking at strengthening the relevant laws”.
She said she been hearing such statements for over 30 years to no avail.
“What are the specifics and measures being taken? Which agencies is she referring to?” asked Yee.
“I don’t see this happening in Sabah. I have been trying to engage with government agencies to do something about this, but sadly, they are not so helpful.”
Siti Aishah Hassan Hasri, founder of Soroptimist Puberty Organising Toolkit (SPOT), said federal and state governments must be more proactive in providing quality comprehensive sex education (CSE).
“Content must be scientifically accurate, free from judgment and bias, evidence-based, age-appropriate and culturally sensitive,” said Siti Aishah, who has been part of technical working groups with multiple ministries in creating a standard regulation to ensure CSE reaches its aim and objectives to the intended beneficiaries.”
She added policies are piecemeal while there is not enough support for people who report abuse.
“Implementation is problematic, and there is no proper impact measurement and central data collection,” she said.
Siti Aishah also agreed the Out of The Shadows Index is not an accurate barometer of how Malaysia handles child sexual crimes.
“The index was a study by economists. Our ranking is because we had just enacted SOAC2017 (Sexual Offences against Children (SOAC) Act 2017) which was one of the key components,” she said.
Separately, Protect and Save the Children manager Angeline Yap said the Education Ministry must include child protection protocol in the safe school policy.
“All teachers should also undergo the two-day training on the dynamics of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). They need to know the who, what, where, when and why of CSA. And how to handle disclosures and the teachers’ rights,” said Yap.
“Teachers need to have awareness of the rights of children and respect children’s rights.
Personal safety should be part of the national syllabus. Children need to be educated and empowered to know their rights and exercise that right!
She added parents also need to learn to have an acceptable attitude and behaviours themselves towards children and empowering children to have open conversations. She said it would be great if child protection studies are included in institutions of higher learning.
The Child Protection policies also need to be enforced with community members playing their part in recognising symptoms, and to alert and report suspicious activities.
“It goes beyond just the schools when awareness and prevention of CSA or child abuse is a concern.
“Our country’s reporting system needs to be more effective and efficient to encourage enforcement and active reporting.”
Here’s a round-up of The News Normal today.
ASSOCIATION SUES NASI KANDAR SALLEH
The Consumer Association of Kedah (CAKE) has filed a suit at the Alor Setar High Court against the owner of Nasi Kandar Salleh who is alleged to be the originator of the Covid-19 Sivagangga Cluster.
Representing over 200 residents and traders who were affected following the spread of Covid-19 in Napoh, the suit was filed against 57-year-old Nezar Mohamed Sabur Bathca.
In the suit, CAKE is seeking compensation of more than RM1 million including special, exemplary and nominal damages. The plaintiff is also seeking an interim injunction to prevent the defendant from leaving Napoh.
On Aug 3, the Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) was implemented in four areas in the state namely Mukim Ah, Mukim Hosba and Mukim Binjal in Kubang Pasu district; and Kampung Ulu, Padang Sanai in Padang Terap following the spread of COVID-19 cases stemming from the Sivaganga cluster.
Last week, Nezar Mohamed was jailed five months and fined RM12,000 by the Alor Setar magistrate’s court after he pleaded guilty to four counts of failing to comply with the home quarantine order on July 14.
DO WE REALLY UNDERSTAND THE SPIRIT OF MERDEKA?
Once again it is the time of the year when a flurry of activities and statements by politicians, activists and academics exhort the value and patriotic spirit of celebrating Merdeka.
The Merdeka spirit has been relegated to soulless physical expressions mainly due to the partisan chauvinistic agenda of political parties that sow antagonistic sentiments among the people, says Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin, an honorary fellow at the Centre for Policy Research and International Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
RELAX, SENTUL POLICE STATION IS STILL IN OPERATION
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said the Sentul police station was operating as usual except for its traffic counter which was closed after a complainant wearing a pink quarantine band was spotted in the area.
The complainant who was coughing wanted to lodge a harassment report.
Abdul Hamid said the traffic counter was later closed following orders by the Health Ministry.
PEJUANG SUBMITS REGISTRATION APPLICATION TO ROS
Two weeks after announcing he plans to set up a new political party, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Pejuang had submitted its application to be registered as a political party with the Registrar of Societies.
Dr Mahathir had previously said there was a need to set up a new Malay political party as existing ones have gone astray. He also said his new party will not be associated with Pakatan Harapan or Perikatan Nasional.