KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 3,581 cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse involving children were recorded by the Social Welfare Department in the first six months of this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said 1,522 cases were recorded in the first quarter (January to March) of 2026, while the figure rose to 2,059 in the second quarter (April to June).
“The department recorded 987 cases of child neglect in the first quarter of 2026.
“The figure also rose in the second quarter, with 1,292 cases recorded, bringing the total for the first half of 2026 to 2,279,” she said in a written parliamentary reply on Wednesday (Oct 28).
Nancy was responding to Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai), who asked about child abuse and neglect cases recorded in the first and second quarters of 2026, as well as the number of cases brought to court.
Meanwhile, police statistics showed that 867 investigation papers on child abuse cases had been opened as of June 2026.
“Of these, 267 cases had been brought to court,” she said.
Nancy said the ministry, through the department, remained committed to safeguarding children's welfare and safety in line with the Child Act 2001 (Act 611).
The department, she said, was responsible for rescuing victims, arranging safe accommodation and providing rehabilitation support.
Among the initiatives to protect children was the Child Protection Advocacy Programme, KASIH Kanak-Kanak, which has been implemented since 2023.
“A total of 220 programmes were conducted in 220 schools between January and September 2026, involving 57,012 participants comprising children, parents and teachers.
“Since 2023, the programme has been implemented in 1,244 schools and 74 children's activity centres, involving more than 270,000 participants,” she said.
She also urged the public to report cases of child neglect or abuse through the 24-hour Talian Kasih hotline at 15999 or via WhatsApp at 019-2615999 to facilitate prompt intervention and rescue efforts.
