PETALING JAYA: Experts have called for stricter enforcement of mandatory background checks to deter offenders and for harsher penalties on organisations that fail to comply.
Criminologist Dr Zalmizy Hussin said sexual predators often target schools, childcare centres and youth groups because these settings provide easy access to children in trusted environments.
“They usually seek roles that allow close contact with minors, hence why mandatory background checks with the Child Sexual Offenders Registry (CSOR) are vital in institutions and should be publicised to deter offenders from applying.
“This also creates an initial barrier that deters individuals with predatory intentions from seeking positions of trust and close contact with children,” said Zalmizy.
He added that implementing such policies allows organisations to better protect children, as background screening can uncover past convictions for sexual or violent crimes that might otherwise go unnoticed.
“For example, in Australia, a failure to conduct thorough background checks allowed a childcare worker with a history of ‘questionable behaviour’ to be hired, where he subsequently abused multiple children.
“Had mandatory checks been in place, he would not have been given access and the abuse might have been prevented.”
Zalmizy stressed that robust vetting is not merely paperwork but a proactive step to block high-risk individuals before harm can occur.
Family law expert Amsa Naidu said the implementation of such checks is long overdue and calling on Parliament to make them compulsory for educational institutions and child-related establishments.
“This mandatory check should be enforced at the highest level, involving relevant ministries and embassies that bring in foreign workers too,” said Amsa.
“If schools and organisations don’t comply, they should be fined or even face imprisonment.
“Similarly, daycare centres should be transparent about their employees and staff. If there are any complaints or past cases against them, they should not be granted a licence to operate.”
Amsa added that background screenings should not only consider past convictions but also take into account police reports or complaints against employees.
She said that for hiring teachers in schools, the relevant ministry should provide a clearance letter before sending them to the institutions.
“Besides, institutions such as training and tuition centres must have clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) to flag any previous complaints. Some perpetrators may only come clean after starting their jobs, which makes early screening crucial,” she noted.
