CHILDREN are easily exploited. Child sex trafficking is a disgusting scourge on Malaysian soil.

In spite of the efforts of the Malaysian authorities, traffickers have historically managed to infiltrate the country—using it both as a transit point and centre for the abduction of children. Their diverse tactics make it difficult to detect them and shut down their operations.

Traffickers install themselves in poverty-stricken areas and prey on the children with the false promise of alleviating their parents’ financial woes. They also take advantage of their naïveté to groom them for sex.

Long-term solutions to permanently deter such activities are required, such as the introduction of educational programmes and law enforcement efforts in collaboration with welfare services and non-government agencies. 

Law enforcement could share intelligence with watchdogs and social services and work with them to rescue and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking.  This allows for the development of a strong ecosystem that thoroughly dislocates organised trafficking groups, constraining the degree to which they are able to mobilise.

The government has been praised for its incorporation of education programmes to guard children. The safe school policy ensures a safe and healthy environment that protects children. It has also organised awareness campaigns with the goal of informing Malaysians about fraudulent work opportunities.

Malaysia must prepare itself for the next wave of child sex exploitation. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report 2023, cybercrime is a threat that will continue to grow in its intensity. Unicef has made it clear that children are susceptible to online sexual exploitation. They’re trying to steal our children and we must stop them. – January 30, 2023.

* Pravin Periasamy reads The Malaysian Insight.