Cops: Most child sex perpetrators known by their victims

SHAH ALAM: Statistics by the Selangor police revealed that 75.7% of cases involving sexual crimes against children reported in the state since January were committed by persons known to the victims.

Selangor Criminal Investigation Department head Asst Comm Fadzil Ahmat said the sexual predators known to the victims were usually the father or stepfather, grandfather, older brother, babysitter’s husband or son, neighbour and mother’s boyfriend.

He said the statistics also showed an increase in the number of cases, to 333 cases from 287 over the same period last year.

Of the cases reported this year, he said 201 involved children below the age of 18 with the perpetrators having been prosecuted, with 82 cases labelled “No Further Action” and 51 still pending.

“We expect the number to increase further with the approaching school holidays.

“We hope for cooperation from parents to always monitor their children’s movement and actions, especially when accessing social media,” he said at the Selangor CID Media Talk here yesterday.

ACP Fadzil said that among the factors contributing to sexual crimes against children were social media influence, technological advancement, tidak apa (it’s okay) attitude of parents towards their children’s activities and peer group influence.

He said the victims or witnesses could contact any police station nearest to them to report sexual crimes or to seek assistance.

To facilitate recording of statements by victims of child sexual crimes, he said police had set up the Child Interview Centre at all contingents manned by trained officers.