Child abuse cases have dropped significantly, says Perak exco member

IPOH: Child abuse cases in Perak increased between 2020 and 2022 but dropped significantly this year, says Datuk Salbiah Mohamed.

The state women, family, social welfare, cooperatives and entrepreneur development committee chairman said there had been 332 cases reported in 2020, 370 cases in 2021 and 532 cases last year.

Salbiah said the increase in cases occurred during the movement control order (MCO) due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"During this period, pressure and hardship faced by the people, while being forced to remain at home, had caused emotional stress until children became victims.

"These cases included sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, which includes abandonment," she said in her reply to S. Wasanthee (PH-Hutan Melintang) during the question and answer session at the state assembly sitting on Monday (Dec 4).

"As of Nov 30 this year, the number of cases have dropped significantly with 168 cases reported," she said, adding that the state was sensitive towards these cases.

"These cases are being managed carefully by the Social Welfare Department," she added.

Salbiah said more public awareness has been raised due to the increased in child abuse cases.

"More people, including parents, have reported these cases to the authorities," she said, adding that all relevant agencies, including non-governmental organisations have worked hard to run advocacy programmes to create more awareness on child abuse.