Guardians, community must take active role against child abuse – Suhakam

THE recent occurrences of child abuse or neglect cases allegedly perpetrated by childcare providers or babysitters are deeply disturbing and alarming. 

The unimaginable harshness and callous indifference shown towards children by the foregoing cases should serve as a painful lesson to all segments of society and impart a sense of urgency and seriousness to the primary caregivers. 

Although the state has the primary obligation in safeguarding the rights of the children, protection of children cannot be secured without parents and guardians being vigilant of their own extensive responsibilities towards children and the efforts to meet the needs of children. 

It is vitally important that parents and guardians are aware of the competency of individuals who are not only in contact with their children but also entrusted with them. 

The onus is on the parents or guardians to equip themselves with knowledge in looking for childcare centres or providers that meet the requirements prescribed by the law and are regulated by the Social Welfare Department.

The children’s commissioner is appealing to the community to take an active role in supporting governmental agencies by reporting unlicensed/unregistered childcare centres to the SWD. 

The community should also be conscious of their collective responsibility and the impact of their actions, which will lend support to tackle the prevalence of child abuse incidents in unlicensed and licensed childcare centres as the care system is rapidly expanding. 

The children’s commissioner would like to urge children of mature age to be made aware of the various children’s issues that affect them directly or indirectly. 

Knowledge and information about children’s rights should be disseminated, commensurate with their age. 

Their ability to understand not only their safety but also that of their peers is pertinent, as well as reporting instances of child abuse to other adults when they are victimised or witness abuse. – The Vibes, May 19, 2023

Farah Nini Dusuki is children’s commissioner for the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam)