Kuala lumpur: The alarming surge in online child sexual abuse has prompted calls for tougher laws, faster prosecution, and a coordinated national task force to tackle the problem. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye emphasized that the rapid surge is a national crisis that cannot be tolerated or downplayed, stressing that every exploitative image, video, or message involving a child represents a life violated and a future damaged.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, as digital platforms grow, predators have become more sophisticated, using social media, gaming platforms, encrypted apps, and AI-generated content to target children. Lee stated that this issue demands a whole-of-nation approach. Stronger laws and stricter enforcement are essential, with online child sexual abuse needing to be met with heavier penalties, faster prosecution, and improved investigative capabilities.
Lee called for agencies to be equipped with advanced digital forensics tools to track offenders, including those hiding behind VPNs (virtual private networks), anonymous accounts, and cross-border networks. He also urged the government to establish a National Online Safety Task Force that would bring together police, CyberSecurity Malaysia, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the Education Ministry, the Social Welfare Department, and NGOs.
The proposed coordinated approach, he said, will ensure quicker response to reports, real-time information sharing, and consistent monitoring of emerging threats. Additionally, Lee emphasized the need for platforms to implement stronger age-verification systems, proactive detection of grooming behaviors, and mandatory reporting of suspected child exploitation.
Lee highlighted the importance of not waiting until abuse goes viral before taking action. He advocated for empowering children and parents through education, with schools integrating online safety into the curriculum, including recognizing grooming, avoiding risky online interactions, and using safe reporting channels. Parents, he noted, need practical guidance to monitor digital habits and identify warning signs early, emphasizing that awareness cannot be optional and every household must understand the risks.
Furthermore, Lee called for expanded psychological and social support for victims, ensuring immediate counseling, long-term therapy, and full privacy protection. He stressed that survivors should never feel ashamed, as the responsibility lies solely with perpetrators. Lee urged community leaders, teachers, tech companies, law enforcement, and parents to stand united, asserting that Malaysia cannot allow its children to be preyed upon in the digital world. He concluded by stating that their safety is a collective responsibility and their protection must be the top priority.