KUALA LUMPUR – The number of child protection officers under the Social Welfare Department needs to be increased immediately to handle cases of child abuse and neglect, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun.
She said the current ratio of child protection officers to children is insufficient.
“The current ratio is one child protection officer for 50 to 100 children. Our target is one child protection officer for 30 to 35 children nationwide,” she said.
She explained that the role of child protection officers in rescuing and guaranteeing the well-being of children who are victims of abuse or neglect needs to be strengthened, considering that such cases are now becoming more complex.
She added that these officers also have a role in preparing social reports for use by the courts in determining appropriate placement and individuals to look after child abuse victims.
Rina said this while visiting two children, suspected of being abused by their aunt and uncle, at Ampang Hospital near here today.
Two days ago, the two children, aged 8 and 6, were reported to have been rescued by the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department when one of them attempted to escape through a window on the fourth floor of a building.
Regarding the case, Rina said the children’s conditions were improving and they looked happier.
She also expressed her gratitude to the individual who had made a complaint about the child’s attempt to jump from the condominium unit, which eventually revealed the abuse they had suffered.
She added that the community’s concern for the well-being of others, as shown by the complainant, should be emulated by all.
“I would also like to ask teachers to pay attention to their students. When a child goes to school, if there are bruises and so on, that could be a sign for the teacher to take further action,” she said.
“This is the role of all levels of society to look after each other as Keluarga Malaysia.” – Bernama, September 18, 2022
