BERNAMA – JBG to provide legal assistance to victims of sexual exploitation

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) – The Legal Aid Division (JBG) has been tasked to assist children and their families who have recently become victims of sexual crimes and exploitation in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the government will not compromise on issues related to child oppression as children are the country’s next generation and their welfare is a shared responsibility.

“I have contacted the Director of the JBG and directed the department to assist the children and their families who have been victims of this horrific incident by providing a ‘legal counselling service’.

“I am deeply saddened and strongly condemn the incident where 402 children were victims of sexual crimes and exploitation across 20 charities… I understand that investigations are ongoing,” she wrote in a Facebook post today.

Azalina said the government is strongly committed to the welfare and safety of children and places a lot of emphasis on this.

She said the MADANI government has implemented several measures and initiatives, including amending the Child Witness Evidence Act, which was approved during the previous session of Parliament.

“The amendment is appropriate and timely as it provides for the capacity of child witnesses to testify in any proceedings and removes the requirement for mandatory supporting evidence,” she said.

A total of 171 people were arrested last Wednesday after police raided 20 charity homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan in their investigation into a business that allegedly exploited children and religion.

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said police also rescued 402 persons aged 1 to 17 years.

–BERNAMA

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