PETALING JAYA: Legal companion services will be provided to victims of the alleged sexual crimes and exploitation in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reform) said she had ordered the Legal Aid Department to help the children and the families involved.
“I have contacted the department’s director-general and instructed for assistance to be given to the children and their families by offering them legal companion services,” she said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Among the functions of a legal companion are to advise the guardian of a child victim on legal matters and to accompany the child in court proceedings and, with the leave of the court, to speak on their behalf.
In short, a legal companion will protect the legal interest of a child and act as a comforter, especially during court proceedings.
“I am deeply saddened, and strongly condemn the incident involving the case of 402 children (rescued from) 20 charity homes... I understand that investigations are ongoing,” she said.
Azalina said the government placed great emphasis on matters concerning the wellbeing and safety of children.
She said the government has implemented various measures and initiatives, including amending the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007 during the last Parliament meeting.
“The amendment is appropriate and timely because it provides for the competence of child witnesses to testify in any proceeding and eliminates the requirement of mandatory supporting evidence,” she said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Social Workers (MASW) executive director Vaneezha Muniandi said the case showed there were no proper monitoring systems to oversee these centres.
“Regular visits by relevant authorities would have ensured the children’s safety and protection.
“Children in care centres not only need basic needs but also case management to ensure their psychosocial needs are attended to.
“All care centres for children should have qualified and trained social workers to ensure overall wellbeing of the child.
“The importance of having trained and professional social workers cannot be overstated in addressing this issue,” she said in a statement.
Vaneezha pointed out that social workers played an important role in identifying, preventing and responding to child abuse cases, offering both immediate support and long-term solutions to affected children and families.
MASW hopes the children will receive trauma-based counselling and care needs as part of their recovery plan before they return to the community or placed at alternative care centres.
