KUCHING: Parents must always spend time to communicate with their children and learn to identify signs and behaviours that might indicate sexual abuse.
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Children’s Commissioner Prof Datuk Noor Aziah Mohd Awal said parents and caregivers should not neglect any unusual changes in mood or behaviour among children, including young boys.
“Apart from that, children in the aged of six to eight, who begin wetting the bed again may be victims of sexual abuse – this is another alarming sign,” she told New Sarawak Tribune.
“Child abuse especially sexual violence is on the rise, particular during the movement control order (MCO) in the last two years, including in Sarawak.”
“I am not surprise that reports of sexual violence against boys were underreported because boys may find it difficult to relate the matter to anyone including parents,” she said.
Noor Aziah said the boy victims may be threatened not to tell anyone or too embarrassed to talk about it.
She said although the young boys might be keeping silent about sexual violence, there were certain behaviours and actions can be indicative of sexual abuse.
“Some boys (victims of sexual violence) become very quiet at home while others might become bullies at school,” she said.
“Thus, parents and caregivers must always spend more quality time with their children, communicating with them to understand their issues and problems,” she added.
Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah recently said that there were increasing cases of sexual violence against boys in Sarawak.
However, the issue has been kept in the shadows, ignored by parents, caregivers, teachers and even other members of society.
She said this could be due to several reasons, including ignorance, fear and social stigma.
She said a total of 71 cases had been reported between 2016 and 2021 in Sarawak, involving young boys aged below 18.
Fatimah also said over 90 per cent of reported cases of sexual violence against children involved people known to the victims, including family members.
Noor Aziah said the government must intensify its efforts to increase the awareness on identifying victims of child abuse while the minors must also be educated about sexual abuse and report it when it happened.
“We need to play our role to protect our children and we also need to teach them to protect themselves against any violence. I believe once these cases are reported, actions will be taken by relevant agencies,” she said.
