SOME 1,055 cases of child abuse were recorded nationwide by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) from January to June this year.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff said physical abuse was the highest with 578 cases (54.8%), followed by sexual abuse (417 cases or 39.6%) and emotional abuse (60 cases or 5.6%).

Of the total, 706 cases, or 68%, involved girls, while 349, or 32%, involved boys, she added.

“There are three parties that should assist in the investigation: medical practitioners, guardians and babysitters.

“They are obliged to report any abuse,” she told reporters after launching the combat online sexual crimes against children campaign today.

Siti Zailah, who is also Rantau Panjang MP, said from 2020 to 2022, Selangor recorded the highest number of abuse cases (4,256), followed by Kuala Lumpur (2,131), Sabah (1,239) and Johor (1,155).

According to police statistics, a total of 1,348 sexual abuse cases involving children were recorded in the first six months of the year: 641 cases of rape, 47 of gang rape, 127 of incest, 95 of unnatural sex and 438 of molestation. – Bernama, September 6, 2022.