Published: Friday March 1, 2013 MYT 8:34:00 PM

Cops: Increase in child abuse cases

KUALA LUMPUR: The number of child abuse cases last year, rose by 17.8 percent to 285, as compared to 242 cases in 2011, according to the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department.

Statistics from its sexual crimes, domestic violence and child abuse investigation division indicate that children aged between one and seven, made up the highest number of abuse cases for two consecutive years.

Its principal assistant director, ACP Hamidah Yunos, said there were 136 cases reported last year, while in the previous year, the number stood at 117.

"Last year, there were 99 cases involving children aged seven years and above, and 50 cases of children aged below one," she told Bernama on Friday.

The breakdown in the number of cases reported last year, according to state were 67 cases each in Selangor and Johor, Penang (25), Negri Sembilan (24), Kuala Lumpur (18), Sarawak (15), Melaka (13), Perak (12), Kelantan (10), Sabah (10), Pahang (nine), Kedah (eight), Terengganu (four) and Perlis (three).

Malaysian Crime Prevention Association legal adviser Prof Gopenathan Raman Nair said, among the causes of child abuse were jealousy of the stepfather against his stepchildren, which could result in severe abuse leading to their death.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Social Development, Crime Prevention and Anti-Drugs Voluntary Organisation president R. Jeevan said various preventive measures were taken by all parties to overcome child abuse.

"Being alert to such occurences in the neighbourhood will also help prevent child abuse," he said. - Bernama

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Published: Friday March 1, 2013 MYT 8:34:00 PM

Cops: Increase in child abuse cases