KOTA BARU: Biological and step-parents, as well as other family members, have been identified among those involved in child abuse and neglect cases in Kelantan, with 664 cases recorded in the first nine months of this year, according to the state Social Welfare Department.
Its director, Che Samsuzuki Che Noh, said that apart from parents, perpetrators also included biological or step-siblings, mothers' boyfriends, relatives including uncles and cousins, as well as family acquaintances.
He said there were also cases involving strangers who took advantage of opportunities to approach victims through social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook.
"Family problems, including financial stress, divorce and drug abuse, are among the factors contributing to child abuse and neglect,” he told reporters here on Friday (Nov 13).
He said statistics over a two-year period showed that physical abuse was the highest category, with 217 cases, followed by sexual abuse (181) and emotional abuse (10), involving victims aged below 19.
He said Kota Baru recorded the highest number of cases at 257 in the first nine months of this year, followed by Pasir Mas (62) and Gua Musang (59).
Last year, 667 cases were recorded throughout Kelantan, with Kota Baru again recording the highest number at 221, followed by Tumpat (77) and Gua Musang (62).
Che Samsuzuki said his department took immediate action on every complaint received through investigations, visits to the locations of reported incidents and assessments of victims' safety, in collaboration with the police and hospitals.
Children identified as being in dangerous environments would be rescued and placed in appropriate shelters, in addition to being provided with medical examinations and psychosocial support to aid their recovery. — Bernama
