KUCHING: Children need to be brave enough to come forward if they do not receive proper care, especially if they abused and neglected by guardians.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said Malaysia has laws protecting children’s rights in such social issues.
She stressed their four rights include the right to live, protection, development, and participation.
“Therefore, if any of these rights are not provided or safeguarded, children have the right to voice their concerns and seek help from adults, such as teachers or parents.
“If there are children in need but are unsure or afraid to report directly, they can contact the Talian Kasih helpline at 15999. Remember, we all have the right to be protected.
“If you have a friend in an unsafe situation, report it immediately to an adult who can help. Take care of yourself and your friends,” she said when officiating at the ‘Child Protection Advocacy Programme: Love for Children’ at SMK Bandar Samariang today.
Nancy said the community should know what steps to take if they discover that a child is experiencing abuse or neglect.
“If you see something suspicious, report it immediately to the police or contact the provided hotline. Don’t just record it for social media, but report it to us,” she added.
She asserted that everyone needs to work together to find the right solutions to address the issue, thereby curbing the increase in cases of child abuse and neglect in the future.
“Not only at the ministry level, but I hope that every layer of society plays a role in helping to improve the safety of all children,” she added.
