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Published: Friday October 23, 2009 MYT 2:32:00 PM

Child abuse: Thumbs-up for harsher sentences


KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Gerakan backs the proposal by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil that child abusers face harsher punishment.

Wanita Gerakan chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe said child abuse cases seemed to be happening on a daily basis, with some not being reported to the authorities.

“We hope such offenders face a punitive sentence as a deterrent because our society is sick at such atrocities being committed against innocent children,” she said in a statement on Friday.

Tan, who is also Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Deputy Minister, said the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases should be expedited.

She said in cases where children were suspected of being severely abused by their biological or adopted parents, the children should immediately be sent to a welfare or shelter home until the authorities were satisfied that it was safe for them to return home.

In cases where parents were the culprits, they should be immediately referred to psychiatrists for treatment.

“The authorities should take prompt action before the child is abused to such an extent that he or she suffers serious injuries or dies,” she added.

Shahrizat, who is also Umno Wanita chief, had referred to the case of Aaliyah Aiman Hussin Abdullah, three, who died after allegedly being beaten and raped.

Social Welfare Department statistics showed there were 278 child abuse cases from September 2007 to October 2008.

Under the Children’s Protection Act, offenders can only be sentenced to a maximum of two years’ jail or fined RM5,000 or both.

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