Children, Shelters and Systemic Crime – Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid

THE A recent case involving a global organisation (Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings) in Malaysia, which received much media attention, highlights the level of ignorance, lack of oversight, laxity and apathy within the organisation and among those with a personal stake in the organisation.

Mountains of opinions and theories were thrown at the organization, with some defending the organization.

The overwhelming response is expected after the discovery of 402 children in multiple shelters in Malaysia. Allegations of sexual abuse, child trafficking, child abandonment, sodomy, forced labor, sexual grooming, exploitation and other related crimes continue to fill our daily news.

Certain individuals have been arrested and detained in connection with the allegations.

The massive crimes that took place after the children were discovered in the shelter show that there was systematic abuse and sexual violence went unpunished.

As surprising as this case is, it is not the first time that a religious organization has been accused of human trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse of power.

The first documented case of sexual abuse occurred in 1629 in the Catholic Church at a school in Rome. This was followed by numerous allegations of sexual abuse, exploitation and neglect in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world.

Malaysia has also had its share of institutional violence and abuse. Let us not forget the case of some tahfiz schools and religious teachers who physically or sexually abused their students.

Criminologist Dr. Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid. – File photo, September 23, 2024

Until recently, we still heard reports of children being bullied and sexually abused by their religious teachers or schoolmates.

Despite the plethora of laws available to protect children and vulnerable communities, children are still exploited with ruthlessness and impunity. Their complaints are often ignored, disbelieved and deprioritized. It is as if they are invisible or insignificant until a tragedy occurs.

Currently, not much is known about how shelters operate and sustain themselves. In most cases, shelters rely on donations and funding from governments, NGOs, businesses, and the public.

Shelters are expected to be a safe haven for people seeking protection and refuge, a place where residents can get food, bedding, clothing and basic supplies.

In most cases, the residents of shelters are vulnerable and marginalized groups, such as orphans, victims of human trafficking, victims of domestic violence, the homeless, the disabled and other people in need of assistance.

Shelters typically have rules to regulate and control the daily activities of their residents. They can also be carceral to some extent, with rules designed to confine, restrain, and subdue their residents.

Some shelters also impose harsh and punitive sentences on their residents who violate shelter rules. In this case, it would not be far-fetched to describe residents as captive communities.

Regardless of the nature of shelters, it is of great importance to ensure that the well-being and prosperity of the residents are safeguarded. However, it is important to note that a shelter is not a dumping ground for children or for people who wish to avoid their responsibilities as guardians.

It is also somewhat shocking and disturbing to hear that some parents have no other option than to leave their children in the shelter so that they can work and earn a decent income. What is even more shocking is the accusation of forced labor that the parents had to endure.

All things being said, is it fair enough to leave this entirely up to the law enforcement officials? Or is this a case of institutional failure?

Comments have been made about how this case reflects an institutional failure due to the inactivity and unresponsiveness of certain agencies that were aware of this matter.

Another question that arises is how it is possible that these shelters can operate with impunity? And have there been any complaints filed by victims or injured parties?

To answer this question, it is important that we ensure that we do not engage in victim blaming or victim predication, which generally means holding the victim responsible or partially responsible for his or her own victimization.

Previous research has shown that there are certain barriers to reporting malpractice and abuse when it comes to religious organizations.

These barriers include fear of disclosure to strict religious families, attitudes toward sex and sexuality within religious communities, fear of ostracism, reluctance to “shame” the religious organization, and a culture of secrecy and abuse.

Children who were brave enough to share their ordeals received inappropriate responses or their complaints were ignored.

In some cases, organizations have tried to silence victims and their families by threatening them with deportation or other forms of punishment. There are also cases where victims are coerced or offered a settlement to keep quiet.

Regardless of how we extrapolate the findings in child abuse cases, we must be reminded that victims of abuse experience trauma that can impact their lives. Trauma does not go away over time, it lingers and can develop into post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or other mental and health conditions.

As a society we need to be vigilant and known for our strong moral and ethical values. We need to show our compassion, empathy and humanity when it comes to children, vulnerable groups and voiceless beings.

From now on, we only pray that all investigations are conducted fairly and that the children in the shelter receive adequate care, love and support from their families and community. – September 23, 2024

Dr. Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid is a criminologist and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya (Postgraduate Affairs).

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