Employ only experienced welfare workers, govt told

 

The group said studies suggest that at least 25% of children experience physical abuse while 10% experience sexual abuse.

PETALING JAYA: A group of healthcare workers and child welfare advocates are urging the welfare department to recruit individuals with the right qualifications as welfare officers.

In a statement, they cited reports on the deaths of two young children at the hands of abusive individuals.

“These two children are a small example of the many abused children who failed to receive help on time. While there is a call to tighten the laws, it is important to note that we already have legislation such as the Child Act 2001.

“There are many children who are failed by the system and society at large,” said the group of 25 signatories, which includes Dr Amar-Singh HSS, Dr Hartini Zainudin and Dr Farah Nini Dusuki.

According to the group, local and international studies suggest that at least 25% of children experience physical abuse while 10% experience sexual abuse.

The group also raised six questions on the issue, including on whether community prevention programmes are effective, if reporting by family members is mandatory, and whether neighbours are encouraged to report cases of abuse.

Besides that, they also questioned whether social workers have adequate training, whether the welfare department is able to set up an inter-agency child protection case and data management system, and whether the Sexual Offences Against Children Act and Child Act will be synchronised to make reporting mandatory for all types of child abuse and violence against children by the community. - FMT