PETALING JAYA: Every day, in the first eight months of this year alone, Talian Kasih received at least two cases of child abuse.
Of the 1,156 calls received by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’s (KPWKM) hotline, 524 were of child abuse.
In contrast, complaints against institutions and nurseries were at 48 and juvenile crime hit 26.
In tackling the issue against child abuse, the ministry, through its Welfare Department (JKM), established 140 Child Protection Team (PPKK), 133 Child Welfare Team (PKKK) and 142 Children’s Activity Centres (PAKK) to be the “eyes and ears” as well as create advocacy programmes in local communities.
“We have also established strategic cooperation with the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, Education Ministry and the police for a more targeted advocacy programme in tackling this issue,” said the KPWKM in a statement.
“Efforts to empower the community with knowledge and skills are being carried out via Community Based Organisation (CBO), which began in Sepang,” the ministry said.
“The basis of the CBO is community development by local members who play an important role in developing society through involvement and collective action,” it told The Star.
It added that the CBO KPWKM directory would be used by CBO members who had been either appointed by it or the Village Community Management Council (MPKK).
“This directory serves as a reference document to address target groups within the community and speed up actions that can be taken at the community level”, the ministry said.
However, it still urged the public to be aware about their surrounding environment always and report any cases of child abuse immediately, even if it was only a suspected one.
Overall, the Talian Kasih received 51,461 calls with 1,386 cases recorded between January and August this year.
Among the calls include those on domestic violence (1,028), beggars/homeless (301), tele-counselling (704), welfare assistance (6,405), people with disabilities (178), senior citizen (206), agencies under the ministry (6,714) and unrelated (34,335).
The Talian Kasih hotline (previously Talian Nur) was launched as an early intervention for victims of abuse, domestic violence and natural disasters in 2007.
It is a community care line, accessible to the public and functions as a “single point of contact” for the community.
Reports can be made by calling Talian Kasih at 15999, WhatsApp 019 261 5999 or visit any District Social Welfare Office or contact the nearest police station.
