Hot temper, uncontrollable emotions fuel child abuse, say cops

Police advise parents to ensure all aspects of safety at childcare centres before sending their children there.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hot temper, irritability and uncontrollable emotions are among the causes of child abuse cases involving childcare providers.

This was the result of initial investigations into abuse cases resulting in the death of children, other than due to the negligence of the care providers, said E Saroja, head of the Child Investigation Unit, Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division (D11) at Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department.

“During the first 10 months of this year alone, we received 86 reports of child abuse cases involving care providers.

“The abuse is sometimes caused by care providers who lose patience with children’s naughty antics.

“Therefore, parents are advised to check the background of the childcare provider and the child-care centre environment before sending their children to ensure their safety,” she said when met after being a guest on Bernama News Channel’s Ruang Bicara programme titled “Sayangi Anak, Kenali Pengasuh” here last night.

Also present was Association of Registered Child Care Providers Malaysia exco member Umei Bahn Mohamed.

Commenting on the sexual abuse of infants being sent to care providers, Saroja said parents should ensure all aspects of safety at childcare centres before sending their children there and also ensure they are registered with the Social Welfare Department.

However, she said the actions of parents sending their children to unregistered centres are not under the control of the authorities.

“Monitor their background, who is in the house, how many children are being taken care of and who will take care of the children,” she said.

Recently, the media reported an 11-month-old baby, Nur Muazara Ulfa Mohammad Zainal, or Zara, died after two days in a critical condition at the Serdang Hospital.

She was suspected of being physically and sexually abused by the babysitter’s husband in early November.

On Nov 24, police detained a care provider to facilitate investigations into the case of two baby boys believed to have been abused at a nursery in Desa Saujana Kajang, Selangor. - FMT