Report child abuse cases to the authorities, says Nancy Shukri

SEREMBAN: Child abuse cases should be reported to the authorities instead of being uploaded on social media, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said Malaysians can do so by contacting the Talian Kasih line at 15999 or sending the relevant information to the 019-2615999 WhatsApp number which operates 24 hours a day.

“Please do not upload such information on social media for content only. Sometimes when such information is uploaded on social media, the authorities would not get the details regarding the alleged abuse or neglect.

“If you want to help the victim fast, then please remember the Talian Kasih and our WhatsApp numbers,” she said when launching the state-level Child Protection Advocacy programme at SMK Seri Ampangan here on Tuesday (April 23).

Nancy said local communities, parents, teachers, parent teacher associations and students should act quickly as the number of cases of children seeking protection or being involved in abuse or neglect cases have been increasing.

In 2022, there were 6,770 cases followed by 7,520 last year.

She said there are Welfare Department officers stationed at every district who are able to respond quickly to any complaint.

“The personal information of those who report any such cases to us will be kept confidential.

“Our common aim is to help any child in such a predicament by helping him or her immediately,” she said, adding that this is also to prevent the recurrence of abuse cases which cost children their lives.

She said on its part, the government had also set up the Child Development Department last year to better protect children.

“Children have rights and through the setting up of the department, we hope to improve on the safety and welfare aspects,” she said.

On the Child Protection Advocacy programme, Nancy said similar programmes had prior to this been carried out at schools in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Melaka, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak.

“This year, we hope to have similar programmes in 300 schools nationwide.

“We need to get as many parties involved including the police, the national anti-drug agency and even the Communications and Multimedia Commission to reach out to as many children as possible,” she added.