Kuala lumpur: A total of 4,079 cases of violence and 3,042 cases of sexual harassment involving children and caregivers have been documented across the nation from 2021 until last month. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail provided these figures, highlighting a concerning trend in the number of reported cases.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saifuddin Nasution detailed the annual breakdown of these cases, noting that 1,057 cases of violence were reported this year, compared to 1,201 last year. The previous years saw 612 cases in 2023, 502 in 2022, and 707 in 2021. As for sexual harassment cases involving children and caregivers, the figures were 418 in 2021, 511 in 2022, 634 in 2023, 667 in 2024, and 812 as of November this year.

Responding to Senator Datuk Nelson W Angang's inquiry during an oral question and answer session at the Dewan Negara, Saifuddin Nasution discussed the Home Ministry's collaboration with international and local bodies like Interpol and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to aid in investigations.

He emphasized the ministry's approach to victim protection, stating that once identified, victims receive support from the police in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the Department of Social Welfare. This includes counselling, medical, and psychological treatment, with referrals to shelters as mandated by the Child Act 2001.

Further prevention efforts include the assignment of police liaison officers to schools to educate and inform about the dangers of such crimes, working alongside various counselling agencies.

Additionally, addressing a question from Senator Mohd Hasbie Muda on the registration of undocumented children, Saifuddin Nasution reported that 20,032 cases have been successfully resolved as of yesterday.