Child sex abuse cases in Sabah still alarming
Published on: Saturday, March 23, 2019
By: Zam Yusa
Kota Kinabalu: Child sex abuse cases in the State following the setting up of a special court in 2017 to address the issue is still alarming, said State Law and Native Affairs Assistant Minister Jannie Lasimbang (pic). She said since children are vulnerable, there is a need for the justice system to be more sensitive towards children and to treat them in accordance with their best interests.
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“Sexual abuse cases in Sabah has increased from 14 in 2014 and 186 in 2016,” said Jannie.
“Since the inception of the Sexual Crime Court Against Children in June 2017, a total of 221 cases were registered from 1 June 2017 to 18 Mac 2019.
“This is alarming and therefore, it is essential for trial judges to be equipped with the necessary skills to handle child witnesses during trial.”
Jannie was speaking at the opening of a workshop on child rights for the judiciary at the Court Complex on Friday. High Court Judge Datuk Mairin Idang @ Martin was also present.
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Jannie said child victims and witnesses have a right to be treated fairly with an awareness of their sensitivity and dignity to ensure their full participation in the justice process.
“The justice system in general, the prosecutors and judges in particular need the full cooperation of child victims and witnesses during trials in order to have a fair, efficient and humane justice process that guarantees justice for all child victims and witnesses,” she said.
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“Hence, training to equip prosecutors and judges to understand each child are vital to enable them to have a thorough understanding of their needs and interest.
“As the late Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa said: There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
Daily Express in October 2017 reported a more than 10-fold increase in the number of sexual abuse cases against children in the State between 2014 and 2016.
Then-State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad said the Ministry viewed the matter seriously, especially as about 50pc of the cases involved physical sexual abuse and another 30pc incest, with the victims aged below 18 years and the youngest aged three.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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