Individuals who are aware of sexual abuse involving children but fail to lodge a police report can be fined up to RM5,000 under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 1972), if found guilty.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said said in efforts to curb sexual offences against children, enforcement needs to be aggressive and firm, including charging those close to the victims like teachers, neighbours who are aware of such an occurrence, under Section 19 of the act.
"I want to aggressively promote community awareness involving sexual abuse of children because if family members, teachers or neighbours are aware of such incidents and refuse to intervene, it would add to the victim’s predicament as they might feel there is no one they can turn to,” she said after launching the eKlinik 6G yesterday.
According to Section 19 of the Act, anyone who is aware of sexual abuse against children but fails to report the matter to the police can be charged in court and fined up to RM5,000.
Azalina said she will be meeting police officers in the Sexual, Women and Child Investigations Division (D11), and court authorities involved in the enforcement of the act.
She would meet the Children's Commissioner to discuss ways to improve community awareness programmes.
- Bernama
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