KUALA LUMPUR – Children who are victims of sexual crimes may not be required to attend court to give evidence as the government considers amendments to the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said explained that the amendments would allow children to give evidence in video form.
“This would mean the children won’t be required to attend court, and based on the judge’s discretion, they wouldn’t have to answer certain questions as well,” Azalina said.
She said these amendments are required given the intricacies of having children testify in court.
The Pengerang MP was answering a query by Young Syefura Othman (Bentong-PH) on the government’s plan to combat sexual offences against children.
Azalina also said from 2018 to January 2023, 5,519 cases of sexual offences against children were reported. Of this, 3,060 cases are currently in court.
However, Azalina acknowledged that the government has faced obstacles which would allow the resolution of these cases swiftly.
“There are many problems, such as absent witnesses, not enough courtrooms, and delays with regards to DNA analysis.
“But the biggest problem is when kids become adults, they don’t want to be a witness anymore and demand to retract the case,” Azalina added.
A a press conference later, she said another amendment to the act will involve changing references on child pornography to “child sexual abuse material”.
This is to deal with new threats using technology against children, she said, according to Bernama.
This will also see livestreaming of sexual abuse and acts, and sexual extortion, be made new offences under the law.
Azalina said other amendments proposed will be to penalise convicted offenders with up to 20 years' jail or a RM50,000 fine for livestreaming sexual acts, and 10 years imprisonment for sexual extortion. – The Vibes, March 23, 2023
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