NGO says it is deeply concerned about child abuse in charities linked to Global Ikhwan

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — The Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (FRHAM) has expressed grave concern over recent reports of 402 children being rescued from care homes where they allegedly faced severe physical and sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation.

A statement on Friday called for greater oversight and regulation to protect children in institutional care, stressing the urgency of the situation.

“Children are among the most vulnerable members of our society and the abuse these children have suffered is unacceptable,” said the chair, Associate Professor Dr Kamal Kenny.

He was concerned about the lasting trauma these children may face and stressed the need for comprehensive professional support to help them recover from the horrors they have experienced.

Dr. Kamal further noted that victims of sexual trauma often exhibit symptoms such as rumination, flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and feelings of shame or guilt.

“Many people who experience sexual trauma will develop PTSD, but a lack of support, poor coping skills and complex trauma can increase risk,” he added.

Eden-Joy Kalom, Director of FHRAM, stressed the importance of education on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

“FRHAM has been advocating for many years for the need for young people to understand the basic principles of sexual and reproductive health and rights, such as the principle of ‘Good Touch, Bad Touch,’” she said.

Kalom stressed that such knowledge empowers children and informs them of their rights.

She also pointed out that the recent case shows the urgent need for sexual and reproductive health and rights education and enforcement in communities to protect vulnerable and marginalised groups.

The organization said it fully supports Unicef’s call for qualified social workers to supervise and monitor nursing homes and urged the government to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards violence, discrimination and abuse of children.

“Ensuring the safety and well-being of children must be a top national priority,” the organization stressed, adding that it remains committed to working with government agencies, NGOs and UNICEF to protect children and uphold their rights.

“Let us work together to ensure that no child suffers in silence,” FRHAM concluded.

Earlier today, police inspector Tan Sri Razarudin Husain reported that a total of 96 bank accounts linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) worth RM581,552.31 have been frozen by authorities.

On September 11, police raided charity homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, rescuing 402 people aged between one and 17 years old.

Razarudin reported that 13 of the victims, after initial screening, were victims of sodomy, in addition to other cases of physical and emotional abuse.