KUCHING: As the heartbreaking statistics of sexual crimes against minors continue to climb, the need for more children’s interview centres (CIC) in Sarawak has become urgent.
Suraya Bujang, the president of Purple Lily, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and girls, highlighted the pressing need for more CICs to assist the police in investigating these heinous crimes.
Suraya stressed that a large state like Sarawak requires more than just one CIC to handle cases involving sexual abuse and trafficking of children, as well as other traumatic events.
She highlighted the need for specially trained professionals and dedicated staff to provide specialized services to these vulnerable children and their families.
In response to the growing need, the government has approved the setup of 19 new CICs in the 2022 budget, in addition to the existing 15 centres. Sarawak will have two more centres in the future, and the locations of the new centres have been identified nationwide.
Dr. Angie Garet, the president of the Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS), welcomed the move and emphasized that the new CICs would help children testify without fear and encourage them to be more open in answering the interviewer’s questions.
Garet also highlighted the need for police to prioritize the protection and confidentiality of child victims.
In recent years, the Women and Child Investigations Division (D11) has seen an alarming increase in cases involving rape, child abuse, and missing children.
Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri has also called for increased resources, including the latest equipment and more manpower, to support the D11 in curbing crimes such as pornography.
As the government takes steps to address this critical issue, the establishment of more CICs in Sarawak represents a significant step towards protecting the most vulnerable members of society and ensuring that justice is served.
As the heartbreaking statistics of sexual crimes against minors continue to climb, the need for more children’s interview centres (CIC) in Sarawak has become urgent.
Suraya Bujang, the president of Purple Lily, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and girls, highlighted the pressing need for more CICs to assist the police in investigating these heinous crimes.
Suraya stressed that a large state like Sarawak requires more than just one CIC to handle cases involving sexual abuse and trafficking of children, as well as other traumatic events.
She highlighted the need for specially trained professionals and dedicated staff to provide specialized services to these vulnerable children and their families.
In response to the growing need, the government has approved the setup of 19 new CICs in the 2022 budget, in addition to the existing 15 centres. Sarawak will have two more centres in the future, and the locations of the new centres have been identified nationwide.
Dr. Angie Garet, the president of the Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS), welcomed the move and emphasized that the new CICs would help children testify without fear and encourage them to be more open in answering the interviewer’s questions.
Garet also highlighted the need for police to prioritize the protection and confidentiality of child victims.
In recent years, the Women and Child Investigations Division (D11) has seen an alarming increase in cases involving rape, child abuse, and missing children.
Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri has also called for increased resources, including the latest equipment and more manpower, to support the D11 in curbing crimes such as pornography.
As the government takes steps to address this critical issue, the establishment of more CICs in Sarawak represents a significant step towards protecting the most vulnerable members of society and ensuring that justice is served.
