The discovery of an abandoned infant behind a house, believed to be the result of an incestuous relationship between a brother and a sister, is not merely a heartbreaking criminal case.
It is a serious social emergency that signals profound failures within the family institution, the child protection system and the collective capacity of society to prevent sexual crimes that occur behind closed doors.
This case demands that incest not be viewed as an isolated incident or a private family disgrace, but as a grave crime reflecting deep structural and moral breakdowns.
When prohibited relationships can occur between immediate family members without detection, intervention, or reporting, it exposes a dangerous blind spot in our social safeguards, one that places the most vulnerable at extreme risk.
More alarmingly, incest crimes are often silent, repetitive and prolonged. Perpetrators are not strangers, but trusted family members who share living spaces, blood ties and authority.
In such circumstances, victims are deprived of physical safety as well as the ability to resist, report, or escape.
This betrayal of trust makes incest one of the most destructive and psychologically devastating forms of sexual violence.
The tragedy of the abandoned infant illustrates the cascading consequences of incest.
This crime does not begin with the disposal of a body, but with the violation of moral boundaries, the absence of social control and the failure of early intervention.
The infant became a victim multiple times, conceived through a forbidden act, denied protection and dignity, and ultimately discarded as though life itself were disposable.
This is not merely an individual failure, but a systemic one. The seriousness of incest is further underscored by its long-term consequences.
Survivors often suffer profound psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, chronic shame, impaired interpersonal relationships and an increased risk of intergenerational cycles of abuse.
Without comprehensive intervention and recovery support, such trauma does not end with one victim and it silently contaminates future generations.
Equally troubling is the role of social stigma and shame culture, which frequently suppress reporting.
The desire to protect family honour often overrides the imperative to protect victims.
Warning signs such as behavioural changes, unexplained pregnancies, emotional withdrawal, or physical injuries are ignored or rationalised.
In this case, the truth emerged only because the outcome was too severe to conceal.
This raises a disturbing question: How many similar cases remain hidden within our communities?
This reality demonstrates that child protection cannot rely solely on the family unit, particularly when the family itself becomes a site of danger. A firm, systematic, and courageous response is urgently needed.
This includes age-appropriate sexual education grounded in moral and cultural values, early detection training for teachers and healthcare professionals, safe and non-judgemental reporting mechanisms, and decisive legal enforcement.
The law must be viewed not merely as a punitive tool after harm has occurred, but as a powerful instrument of prevention.
Incest must be treated as a serious crime against humanity and child dignity, not reduced to a private moral failing.
Any hesitation in addressing it firmly only allows such crimes to persist in silence. In conclusion, the tragedy of this abandoned infant is a mirror of collective failure.
It confronts us with the uncomfortable truth that incest is a real and present threat to the integrity of the family, the safety of children and the moral foundation of society.
Silence is no longer an option. Every individual, institution, and authority bears responsibility to act before more innocent lives are lost.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, please contact Talian Kasih 15999 or report immediately to the relevant authorities.
Speaking up does not merely save one victim, it may save an entire generation.
By Dr Muhammad Haziq Zaini
Senior Lecturer
Centre for Fundamental Studies
Management and Science University (MSU)
