THE recent headline about the 392 children rescued from despicable abuse purportedly in welfare homes allegedly operated by a certain conglomerate highlights the urgent need for long-term care services for child abuse victims, said an MCA leader.
Echoing The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s statement on the matter, Wanita MCA national deputy chairperson Tee Hooi Ling said the physical and psychological trauma these children endure demands more than immediate intervention – it requires sustained professional support.
“The living nightmares these children were confronted with, ranging from sodomy, being taught to sodomise, sexual assault, being burnt, physical ill-treatment, child labour and exploitation, deprivation of formal education, will leave deep-seated emotional and psychological wounds that cannot be cured overnight,” she stated.
“Long-term care services are crucial to help these minors process their trauma, build resilience, and develop the skills needed for a hopeful future, and most pertinently, dislodge any normalisation of abuse that disables them from distinguishing inappropriate conduct.”
According to Tee, qualified social workers and mental health professionals are essential in this recovery process, with their expertise providing tailored interventions to meet the complex needs of abused children.
“Wanita MCA reiterates the need for improved regulation and oversight of institutional care, especially where commercial entities pose as charitable organisations,” she remarked.
“The Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the police must work together to create an environment that prioritises child safety and addresses their long-term needs with the seriousness they deserve.
“The disturbing revelations reflect a necessity for comprehensive reforms and effective child protection systems.”
Tee said UNICEF’s advocacy for long-term care services is crucial in addressing both the immediate and ongoing needs of child abuse victims, and that this commitment is essential to ensure that every child has the opportunity to recover from their trauma.
“In supporting UNICEF’s call for long-term care, we reaffirm our dedication to safeguarding vulnerable children and addressing the root causes of institutional abuse,” she stressed.
“By investing in the long-term well-being of these children, we contribute to a future where all children can thrive in safety and dignity.”
On Wednesday (Sept 11) the police arrested 171 people following the raids on the welfare homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, which were said to be linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB).
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain was reported to have said that some of the rescued children were allegedly sodomised and also taught to sexually assault others.
He said some of the children were forced to sodomise the other residents of the home, while others from as young as five years old allegedly endured physical abuse.
Police are currently investigating the case under the Child Act 2001, Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, and the Penal Code. – Sept 13, 2024
Main image: Reuters
