PETALING JAYA: Many doctors and healthcare providers don’t come forward to lodge police reports when they suspect child sexual abuse, but it is not fear holding them back, says a senior paediatrician.
Consultant paediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist Dr Thiyagar Nadarajaw said generally, it is not easy to detect child abuse when the information is not volunteered by the parents or the children themselves, especially if the children appear physically healthy.
“A high index of suspicion is essential among healthcare providers when it comes to sexual abuse of children. As the saying goes, the eyes do not see what the mind does not think.
“A child who is brought to see a doctor for a common sickness may manifest subtle non-physical symptoms and signs.
“If we observe and listen attentively to their symptoms and signs, we may pick up (indicators) that they are victims of child abuse. Their parents may complain that their teenager is rather withdrawn, short-tempered or even losing appetite and weight,” he added.
Dr Thiyagar was responding to a recent comment by Health Ministry public health expert Dr Noor Raihan Khamal that health officials and staff were afraid to lodge police reports regarding sexual crime cases involving children or teenagers.
Dr Noor Raihan noted the need to comply with Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792) during the Convention on the Protection of School Children Against Sexual Crimes.
Section 19 states that “any person who fails to give information of the commission of or the intention of any other person to commit any offence under this Act, or any offence specified in the Schedule where the victim is a child, to the officer in charge of the nearest police station, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding RM5,000”.
Dr Thiyagar said sexually-abused teenagers may manifest symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, have difficulty sleeping, be unable to relax or commit self-harm.
If healthcare providers suspect a child or teenager of being sexually abused, it is important for them to document the details and report to the relevant authorities, particularly the police, he added.
“Even if police investigations subsequently reveal that there was no element of sexual abuse, healthcare providers are protected by law from any false accusation claims by parents,” he said.
Children’s Commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki echoed his views, saying it was not fear that was stopping healthcare providers from lodging reports.
She added that there were some concerns over the legal procedures, such as attending court, becoming a witness and other related matters.
“The hesitancy is more about what comes after reporting. If the case becomes a police case, they have to make sure their reports that will be used as evidence are done properly.
“So, this may not be a pleasant process for doctors, especially having to go to court, as it takes away their precious clinic time – they need to postpone appointments and this has implications for their work.
“Being a witness in court is also usually not a pleasant experience,” she added.
