Train teachers, students to spot grooming, sexual abuse, says DAP MP

 

Syerleena Abdul Rashid said volunteers should also undergo the same strict screening before being roped in by NGOs to handle students. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Syerleena Abdul Rashid has called on the education ministry to train teachers, staff and students to recognise signs of grooming and sexual abuse, citing the case of an infamous paedophile from the UK who escaped detection.

The public should not rely on laws alone to protect children, she said, referring to the amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

Syerleena Abdul Rashid.

“Richard Huckle was a paedophile who abused children in Malaysia over nine years.

“He posed as an English teacher, and hid behind a wholesome image and got away with abhorrent acts against children,” the Bukit Bendera MP told FMT.

The education ministry must also implement strict screening processes, which included thorough background checks when hiring teachers, she said.

Syerleena said volunteers should also undergo the same screening before being roped in by NGOs.

“Unusual behaviour can help identify potential offenders before they have a chance to harm children.”

In welcoming the recent amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, Syerleena said strengthening laws and enforcement on child sexual abuse could serve as a deterrent.

Better laws were needed to tackle sexual offences against children which had become a very serious problem, she said, adding that the country had been identified as a hotspot for child sexual exploitation on the dark web.

In 2020, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission reported that there were 20,989 cases of online child sexual abuse material recorded in the country, an increase of over 200% from the previous year, she said.

“But we need to also look at how schools and society can better protect our children.”

Parents, schools and communities must be proactive in encouraging victims to report suspected abuse, she said.

“Preventing abuse requires commitment from everyone – from parents to schools, organisations, communities and government.”

Last week, the Dewan Rakyat passed amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 to better protect minors against such crimes.

The amendments to the Act seek to introduce provisions allowing children to appear in court as witnesses as well as to increase the age of child witnesses from 16 to 18.

The amendments will also allow for the prosecution of not only those who watch and participate in sexual acts against children online, but also “middlemen and syndicates” who organise and distribute such content. - FMT