KUALA LUMPUR: More than 5,200 cases involving children ranging from abuse to neglect were handled by the Social Welfare Department as of August this year.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri told the Dewan Rakyat the breakdown was 1,240 physical abuse cases, 1,603 sexual abuse, 73 emotional abuse, 1,530 neglect and 156 cases of abandoned or orphaned children.
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“There were also 614 cases involving various factors,” Nancy said during the Question and Answer session on Wednesday (Nov 29).
Nancy said the children who were saved in these cases were placed at centres run by the department.
“Some were placed with adoptive parents or qualified and suitable individuals.
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“Others were returned to their respective families after it was assessed that there were no detrimental threats to the child,” she added.
William Leong (PH-Selayang) had asked a supplementary question about the latest statistics involving child abuse cases that required protective intervention by the department.
According to Nancy, after a vulnerable child was placed in the care of foster parents or court-appointed guardians, another individual deemed suitable by the court will supervise the welfare of the affected child every three months.
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“The guardian or the appointed individual will make an appointment with the foster parent (or other minders) to be present at the department (office) or arrange a house visit,” she said.
Earlier this month, the department reported an increase in cases from 5,858 cases in 2020 to 6,144 in 2021 and 6,770 last year.
