You can help stop child abuse

Minister: It pays to be nosy when it comes to helping a child in danger

PETALING JAYA: When it comes to protecting children, it pays to be “nosy”. So if you see something amiss, say something.

The Social Welfare Department has seen close to 3,000 child abuse and neglect cases in the five months beginning in January this year.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu said “your promptness in such cases can save lives”.

“As members of the community, no matter who we are, whether family members, relatives or neighbours, we must always be sensitive and attentive to our surroundings.”

If you know of such abuse or neglect, report it to the ministry through either Talian Kasih 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999.

“The ministry welcomes cooperation from various government and private agencies, civil society, individuals, communities and the public in curbing the issue of child abuse and neglect,” Aiman told The Star.

A child protector from the department would inspect to determine the complaint’s validity. If it is proven that the child needs care and protection or is neglected by the mother, father or guardian, then the protector will act to save the child.

“However, if there isn’t a complaint or report from any party, the protector will not be able to preemptively visit the premises to check on the children,” Aiman said.

The Child Act 2001 outlines the role of a protector as “saving children who need care and protection, such as children who are victims of abuse, whether physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or neglect”.

Without the benefit of a report, there could not be action, said Aiman.

Meanwhile, on children’s welfare at childcare centres, Aiman said that the department had set standards for Taska operators to ensure the quality of child care and safety.

These include installations of closed circuit cameras (CCTV), the qualifications of the Taska operator and carers, the ratio of carers to children, record management, security and others.

CCTVs, said Aiman, were a must under the Child Care Centre’s Act at all registered Taska centres. “Except for home-based Taska,” she added.

“If the CCTV is not working, the operator could be issued a written warning or temporary closure,” she said. Cancellation of registration and compounds are the other measures.

Along with the Child Care Centre Act are the Child Care Centre Regulations 2012, both of which were enacted for the registration, inspection and enforcement of Taska.

All Taska are to meet the minimum standards set, including the Permata Early Childhood Care and Education Course (KAP), which is mandatory for operators, managers, supervisors and carers.

KAP, which was introduced in 2013, is a mandatory certificate-level course recognised by the department. It is an important condition for the approval of a Taska’s licence.

“The department places great emphasis on training and skills learning for every registered operator and carer at Taska so that they are able to offer quality services, meet the comprehensive development needs of children, meet parents’ expectations, and deal with the occurrence of accidents, injuries, or deaths of children at Taska,” Aiman said.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said occasionally, her personnel carried out visits to its centres.

“Currently, there are 564 community-based rehabilitation centres (PDK) and 161 Activity Centre for Older Persons (PAWE), she said.

“We normally visit our own centres first,” said Nancy. “Some are privately run institutions with specific care like autism,” she added.

On working with local communities, Nancy said her ministry had come up with what is known as Community Based Organisation (CBO).

The programme helps develop local communities through collective involvement and action. “We want the people to be on this particular journey with us,” Nancy said.

“We provide them with a directory on where to go and how to go about it.”

So far, Sepang is the first on this programme. “We will continue to do it state by state,” she said.