PETALING JAYA: There is a greater need to prevent abuse cases from happening among children in the community, said Malaysian Paediatric Association president Dr S. Selva Kumar.
He said it was timely for the government to pursue preventive measures by identifying families that are at risk, such as those in the B40 group or single parents.
“This is where the Social Welfare Department needs to come in and reach out to those families. By identifying it, we can address the root cause before it leads to unwanted consequences.
“Neighbours can also be vigilant. Unfortunately, in big cities, there is a lot of apathy, and we don’t ask what is wrong with our neighbours anymore.
“The term ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ was coined for a reason – that the best interests of a child are taken care of. If you see a child potentially abused, society or the neighbourhood should step up,” he said.
Dr Selva Kumar explained the long-term effects of abuse: “Broadly speaking, there is a clear link between physical abuse and physical health.”
He said in a study carried out in 2016, children who were physically abused later developed diabetes, lung disease, malnutrition, vision problems, limitation of activities, high blood pressure, headaches, and even stroke.
“There are also effects on the brain, with reduced function and growth.
“Another study also revealed those with a history of being abused had reduced brain volume, with effects on certain regions related to emotions, learning and memory, decision-making, emotional regulation, as well as motor behaviour.
“But there is evidence that, if early and continuous intervention is provided, the brain is able to recover,” he said.
However, Dr Selva Kumar said those who are physically and sexually abused may go on to become abusers themselves, have anti-social tendencies and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Even if therapy is given, there may also be behavioural difficulties after treatment, like unhealthy sexual practices and the existence of a strong correlation between future juvenile and criminal activities, he added.
Dr Selva Kumar also explained that all hospitals in Malaysia have a team that handles children who have been abused.
“If the child is in danger and in need of protection, the child will be placed in the hospital, where assessment will be done until the child is deemed safe and has a place where he or she will be protected.
“Most of the time, the child will be evaluated by the paediatrician on call. Depending on the type of abuse, there may also be a psychologist and all kinds of treatment, including social and emotional support.
“Subsequently, the child will be assessed by a child protection officer and temporary custody will be obtained, following which they will be placed in a home,” Dr Selva Kumar said.
The Parent Action Group for Education chairman, Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, also echoed the same sentiments about the need for the community to intervene when the situation involves children, and argued that the culture of minding one’s own business does not bode well in this case.
“Neighbours, especially friends and extended family, should not hesitate when there is any suspicion or even a hunch that children may be abused,” she said.
Two children who were allegedly abused by their aunt and uncle in a condominium in Ampang were rescued by authorities last Friday.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, who visited the children at the Ampang Hospital last Sunday, said the children were now in stable condition.
She added that the Social Welfare Department will handle the temporary placement of the brother and sister within 30 days before obtaining a custody order from the court.
