PUTRAJAYA: Cases of child neglect in the country have almost tripled over the past five years and are now considered to have reached an alarming level, according to Social Welfare Department records.
Based on records from the Social Welfare Department, there were 1,618 reported cases of child neglect in 2020, which rose to 4,126 cases last year, Utusan Malaysia reported.
Section 17(1)(d) of the Child Act 2001 defines child neglect as the failure to provide basic necessities (food and drink, shelter, clothing, affection, and education), which may expose children to harm, including threats to their lives.
During that period, the Social Welfare Department recorded a total of 31,247 cases involving the protection and care of children, including neglect, with over 64 per cent of the victims being girls.
Sexual abuse cases also recorded high numbers, with a total of 9,365 cases over the same period—the highest being in 2023, with 2,523 cases.
Social Welfare Department director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan said that cases involving child neglect and abuse are deeply concerning, with many cases being unreported to the authorities.
Lack of awareness, fear of reporting, negative stigma, and insufficient information are among the contributing factors to the rise in such cases.
“This happens due to social problems, including economic pressure on our society.
“When parents are overwhelmed with financial problems, feelings of anger and frustration may be taken out on their children. What will happen to the kids?
“Some parents take illegal substances such as drugs. Their nearest victims are, of course, their children, who are powerless to do anything,” he told Utusan Malaysia.
Che Murad added that statistics from the police also show that more than 95 per cent of abused children, including victims of sexual abuse, have a close relationship with the perpetrator – which are usually their biological or step-parents.
He believes many cases of incest occur in rural areas because perpetrators are ‘desperate’ to satisfy their lust but cannot afford to pay for sex workers.
Che Murad added that unregulated use of social media, where pornographic content is easily accessible, exposes children to paedophile threats.
“The irresponsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate children’s images in various forms is also a concern.
“As technology advances, efforts to tackle emerging problems become increasingly complex. This is extremely worrying,” he said.
To address underage sexual crimes, Che Murad said the Social Welfare Department has implemented the “Kasih Kanak-kanak” child protection advocacy programme in schools nationwide, in collaboration with the Education Ministry.
The programme, which began last year and has been rolled out in 337 schools, has benefited 128,148 children and involved 189,479 participants.
This year, the programme aims to reach 300 schools and 30 selected Children’s Activities Centres (PAKK).
Che Murad urges the public to make use of the 24-hour helpline (Talian Kasih hotline 15999) to report cases of abuse or neglect, especially those involving children.
“This hotline enables people to lodge complaints with a party they consider trustworthy and safe to share their problems with.
“Child-related cases often involve close individuals like parents or siblings, leaving children unsure of the proper channels for seeking help.
“If a child confides in a teacher or friend, use this hotline to report the wrongdoing. The police are working with us. They will investigate every report received, and no case will be ignored,” he said.
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