Heed UNICEF’s call for long-term care for victims of child abuse, government says

According to a leader of the MCA, the recent headline about 392 children rescued from horrific forms of abuse, said to be in homes run by a certain conglomerate, highlights the urgent need for long-term care for victims of child abuse.

Tee Hooi Ling, National Vice President of Wanita MCA, echoed the statement of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on the issue, saying that the physical and psychological trauma these children go through requires more than immediate intervention: it requires ongoing professional support.

“The living nightmares these children faced, ranging from sodomy, learning to sodomize, sexual abuse, burning, physical abuse, child labor and exploitation, deprivation of formal education, will leave deep-rooted emotional and psychological wounds that cannot be healed overnight,” she said.

“Long-term care is critical to help these minors process their trauma, build resilience and develop the skills needed for a hopeful future, and, most importantly, to break any normalization of abuse that prevents them from identifying inappropriate behavior.”

According to Tee, qualified social workers and mental health professionals are essential in this recovery process. Their expertise allows them to provide tailored interventions that meet the complex needs of abused children.

“Wanita MCA emphasises the need for improved regulation and oversight of institutional care, especially where commercial entities masquerade as charities,” she noted.

“The Department of Social Welfare (DSO) and the police must work together to create an environment where children’s safety is paramount and their long-term needs are addressed with the seriousness they deserve.

“The disturbing revelations highlight the need for comprehensive reforms and effective child protection systems.”

Tee said UNICEF’s commitment to long-term care services is critical to addressing both the immediate and ongoing needs of survivors of child abuse. He said this commitment is essential to ensuring that every child has the chance to heal from their trauma.

“By supporting UNICEF’s appeal for long-term care, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting 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 in which all children can flourish in safety and dignity.”

On Wednesday (September 11), police arrested 171 people after raids on nursing homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, allegedly linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB).

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain is reported to have said that some of the rescued children had been sodomised and also taught to sexually assault others.

He said some children were forced to abuse other residents of the home, while others were allegedly physically abused from the age of five.

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 Criminal Code. – 13 September 2024

Main image:Reuters

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