Family members found to be behind child abuse and neglect cases
Other cases involved strangers who approached children through social media, says the Kelantan welfare department.
In Kelantan, family members have been found responsible for 664 cases of child abuse and neglect over the past year, according to the welfare department. Physical abuse was the most prevalent offence, accounting for 217 cases, followed by sexual abuse (181) and emotional abuse (10). These statistics cover children under the age of 19 and were gathered over a two-year period.
Che Samsuzuki Che Noh, the Kelantan social welfare director, stated that family issues like financial strain, divorce, and drug addiction often contribute to such incidents. Siblings, step-siblings, boyfriends of the victims' mothers, relatives like uncles and cousins, and acquaintances could also be involved. Additionally, some perpetrators met their victims through social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook.
Che Samsuzuki cited family problems, including financial stress, divorce, and drug abuse, as contributing factors to the abuse and neglect. The highest number of cases this year was reported in Kota Bharu, with 257, followed by Pasir Mas (62) and Gua Musang (59). Last year, Kelantan recorded 667 cases, with Kota Bharu leading again at 221, Tumpat (77), and Gua Musang (62).
The welfare department plans to investigate reported incidents, assess victims' safety in cooperation with the police and hospitals, rescue children in danger, and provide them with medical examinations and psychosocial support for recovery.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
