KLANG: Perpetrators of sexual crimes against children should not be automatically labelled as mentally ill, say experts.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Andrew Mohanraj warned that categorising these crimes as mental health issues risks unjustly stigmatising mental illness and diminishes the offenders’ criminal responsibility.
“Some sexual offenders may have paedophilic disorder, which is a disorder of sexual preference, not a mental illness that causes a loss of control or detachment from reality,” he explained.
“Even in cases of severe mental illness with psychotic features, it is rare to find sexual crimes against children.”
He described child sexual abuse as a criminal act often driven by motives such as a desire for power, control and dominance.
Criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid echoed these sentiments, stressing that child sexual abuse must not be conflated with mental illness.
While acknowledging that some offenders may have mental health issues, Haezreena pointed out that many of those who have been charged and convicted were found to be mentally sound.
She said some perpetrators target children to experiment with abnormal sexual desires or fetishes.
Such offenders, she added, often believe they can get away with their crimes, either by silencing the victim or relying on disbelief of others.
In cases of incest, for example, some family members may choose to protect the perpetrator instead of helping the victims, said Haezreena.
This is often driven by shame leading to a reluctance to report close relatives involved in such heinous acts, she said.
“This culture of protecting perpetrators must be eliminated,” she added.
Consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Rahima Dahlan @ Mohd Shafie said the psychological impact is especially profound when the perpetrator is a parent, caregiver or close relative.
“The child’s sense of safety within the home is shattered,” she said.
She noted that children who have been raped may show strong avoidance behaviours such as fearing certain places and people, or refusing medical examinations.
Molestation, she said, can also lead to deep emotional scars such as shame, confusion and self-blame, especially if it is ongoing abuse or abuse involving someone the child trusted.
For very young children, the effects can be long-lasting even if they cannot verbally express what happened.
Children may also display disturbing behaviours, such as traumatic play or inappropriate sexualised behaviour, or attachment issues like excessive clinginess or fearfulness.
“There is also a significant risk of ongoing developmental and mental health problems such as anxiety disorders, behavioural issues and learning difficulties,” said Dr Rahima.
She warned that since early childhood is a critical period for brain development, experiencing sexual trauma at this stage could alter the brain’s stress response system with effects that persist into adulthood.
“That’s why every disclosure of sexual abuse must be handled with sensitivity, medical care if needed, and access to trauma-focused mental health support,” she said.
