Activists laud support system for victims of abuse

PETALING JAYA: The proposed pilot project by the police to ensure there is a support system for victims of sexual abuse has got the full backing of children’s rights activists and other stakeholders.

One such activist, Roland Edward, said what the police are proposing is right, and he supported it.

“If you find someone guilty of (such an) an offence, there are consequences of them not being around for the wife and children.

“These things do not only stop at the government and non-governmental organisation (NGO) level, and it also goes beyond the religious level,” he said, adding that all layers of society should work together on this.

The Be My Protector engagement and operations director said it is imperative for communities to work collectively.

“We need to set small steps to reach our milestones. For this to work, there must be transparency, accountability and ownership,” he added.

Edward cited the example of a 19-year-old who had been raped by his uncle – the victim needed more than just welfare, police and hospital aid, but also additional support from the community, which needed to do the right thing.

He said the problem was compounded because the rapist worked with the victim in the same company.

The company was aware there was a police report against its employee, but it also could not fire the suspect just because of the report, he added.

“Until proven guilty, they had to navigate (it carefully) because you cannot just fire a person due to a police report.

“This is where we realised the company needed some guidance on how to do right by everyone,” said Edward.

Meanwhile, Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the police are in a perfect position to see where the holes are and how they can be plugged.

However, it takes a police officer who is a woman, wife, mother or daughter to connect the dots, she added.

“(They can) pinpoint the source of the problem and endeavour to find a solution no matter how long it takes. Without a doubt, there will be several NGOs that would want to be engaged with and which also have the funding and resources to (do so),” she said.