IPOH: There is a need to appoint child protection assistants at the community level, says a non-governmental organisation.
Childline Foundation Malaysia executive director Datin PH Wong said the foundation’s long-term goal was to have the Social Welfare Department recognise leaders from Rukun Tetangga, Residents Associations, Orang Asli communities or relevant bodies who could be trained as first responders at least.
She said that the department could work with the foundation or relevant NGOs to train them to become child protection assistants.
“They (child protection assistants) can intervene, and children especially can turn to them if they are facing any sort of problems, from abuse, grooming to bullying.
“It is easier being in the same neighbourhood, as they will be more aware of issues and problems their neighbours are facing.
“Each and every neighbourhood should have at least one child protection assistant,” she told reporters after delivering her talk at the Child Safety and Protection symposium held at Yayasan Ipoh on Saturday (Feb 15).
The symposium titled “Protecting our Future: Safeguarding Children Together” was jointly organised by Yayasan Ipoh and Perak Academy.
Also present were Yayasan Ipoh chief executive officer Datuk Dr R. Ramanathan, and Perak Academy’s Board of Governors member Datuk Gan Tack Kong.
Wong said the foundation has trained mothers at People’s Housing Programmes (PPR) to listen to their neighbours' problems.
She said if these mothers are unable to handle the situation, there is a group of experts including psychologists and psychiatrists that they could refer to.
“The goal here is prevention. We cannot expect department officers to carry that responsibility alone as they too are shorthanded, and have their hands full.
“So training reliable leaders within the community is the next step forward, and the department too is aware of high risk areas.
“These child protectors can become the first responders where they are able to follow-up on cases, and are able to check on families,” she said.
Wong added that children would not be able to find or go to department’s offices, and it would be easier for them to reach out to their community leaders who live nearby.
She said the foundation has set up 40 toy libraries especially for the B40 communities where children are unable to attend nurseries and kindergartens.
She said those living in PPRs, their parents are often working, some carrying out two jobs a day.
So she said the ones left behind are the children, and sometimes senior citizens.
“So the toy libraries in these areas can provide children with informal education, where some are able to read, write and count because they play board games instead of gadgets.
“We also encourage senior citizens to participate in the toy libraries as they can teach them good values, and play board games together with the children,” she said, adding that there were children who were able to count to 100 after playing “Snakes and Ladders”.
Speaking on the dangers of the cyberworld, she said predators were targeting children as young as seven years old.
She said this was a vulnerable age group, and the predators have been grooming them compared to teenagers who are able to identify what is right or wrong.
“Most children will not show naked photos unless they are groomed or lured to getting something out of it.
“We have seen a case of an eight-year-old girl where the mother found that her daughter was in touch with three predators outside Malaysia.
“She was about to send her naked photos as she wanted to earn rewards from an online game, and luckily the mother intervened on time,” she added.
Wong said children also get depressed and lonely, and when strangers show interest in them, they quickly follow what is told to them,” she added.
Dr Ramanathan said Yayasan Ipoh is looking at setting up a toy library at the centre.
“It is timely to address issues faced by children, with so many issues reported on them.
“We need more avenues for them to express themselves, find help, and most importantly have someone listen to them,” he added.
