Between neglect and abuse: Keep our children safe

AS reports of child neglect, abuse, and abandonment continue to rise, more Malaysian children are slipping through the cracks, a worrying sign of family stress and social breakdown. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), in its latest Children Statistics 2025 report, showed that cases involving children requiring care and protection rose by 12.7 percent to 9,624 in 2024. While girls accounted for 62.7 percent of cases, the increase was more pronounced among boys, rising by 15.2 percent. At the heart of this issue are families struggling with poverty, mental health pressures, and weakened support systems.

Children are often victims of neglect or violence from parents under immense pressure, with no outlet or access to help. While such acts can never be justified, we must address their root causes and strengthen early prevention, including parental support and community services that reach families before harm occurs. Assistance should begin with postpartum care for mothers, and support for fathers through male counsellors and role models who offer gender responsive guidance and empathy.