Experts: More awareness needed to detect incest cases

Inhuman: The man being led away after he received severe punishment for doing unspeakable things to his daughter. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Experts have called for more public awareness on how to detect cases of incest.

One way is by making teachers more aware of the tell-tale signs of sexual abuse concerning their pupils, said Malaysian Mental Health Association deputy president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj.

The signs include completely avoiding a parent or being overly attached to a parent in an uninhibited way.

“The victims, if they are young children, may not be so forthcoming with information. But they could be displaying behaviour that is a result of underlying emotional issues from any (incest) incident,” he said.

Dr Mohanraj, a consultant psychiatrist, said incest victims must have strong support systems and be made to feel that they are not alone.

“They must be able to look at their past from a position of safety and psychological stability,” he added.

Criminologist and psychologist Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat said if the victim spoke up about the incident, the public must help the victim to come forward to the authorities.

“Do not be judgemental or worse, listen about the victimisation and do nothing about it. There are too many cases where a family member knows about the incest but does nothing to help,” she said.

Dr Geshina added that telling the perpetrator to stop would not be enough as it was possible that he would continue the heinous crime.

Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh urged victims and those with information of sexual abuse to come forward as soon as possible, assuring the public that the police would ensure that justice is served.

“We have the D11 division, which specialises in sexual crimes as well as crimes against children. We will tackle the cases fast and take stern action against the perpetrators,” he said when contacted.

Comm Mohmad said there were instances of victims who were afraid to come forward.

“The community must also play a part in reporting any suspected sexual abuse cases. They should lodge police reports,” he said, adding that medical examination and collecting of evidence must be done fast.

Comm Mohmad was commenting on the case of the divorcee who was charged with 623 counts of sexually abusing his daughter, including sodomising the girl at a hotel room in Mecca when they were performing the umrah.

The man has been jailed a total of 48 years.