The Malaysian Doctors for Women & Children are horrified to hear about the sexual abuse perpetrated on the 400 children living at charity homes run by Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB).1 Our hearts ache for the children (past and present) who have been neglected and abused by people who were meant to care for them. While gratified that those responsible are now being investigated, we wish this had been done sooner.
There is no reason to ever justify sexual abuse on anyone. It is a shame on a nation when their children are being sexually abused and its a shame that Malaysia bears. The Bukit Aman Women and Children Sexual Crime Investigation Division has recorded 18,326 cases of childhood sexual abuse from 2018 to November 2023.2 And it is acknowledged that this is only the tip of the iceberg with many cases unreported due to lack of awareness, children not being believed, and to conservative mores of wanting to cover up abuse to prevent ‘dishonour’.
Childhood sexual abuse has life long adverse outcomes. Victims are more likely to suffer from physical and psychological illnesses.3 They can suffer from anxiety, depression, eating disorders, HIV,obesity, and chronic pain.3 They can contract sexually transmitted infections. They are also at higher risk of further unsafe sexual intercourses and could even become involved in sexual offending in the future.3 We have seen proof of this already in the GISB charity homes where victims were then being taught to become offenders to other children.1
Recognising and reporting sexual abuse protects the victims from further harm and from other children becoming victims. Women’s Centre for Change4 have explained the signs and symptoms displayed in children who are being sexually abused:
- Pain/injury in their genital areas
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Pregnancy
- Unexplained tummy pains
- Lack of concentration
- Loss of appetite
- New bed-wetting
- Truancy /poor school performance
- Self harm /suicidal attempts
- Sexualised knowledge and behaviour which is inappropriate for age
- Low self esteem
Victims and perpetrators can be of from any race, sex and socio-economic class. They can be educated, illiterate, religious, atheists, heterosexuals or homosexuals. 90% of sexual abusers are known to the children.2 Which means you as their parent /relative /neighbour /teacher will know them too.
It is everyone’s duty to safeguard children. Living in insular, “minding my own business” ways can perpetuate the cycle of abuse just as much as direct harm itself.
References:
- Malaysian police rescue 400 minors from suspected sexual abuse at Islamic charity homes. By Reuters. Published 12th September 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysian-police-rescue-400-minors-suspected-being-sexually-abused-islamic-2024-09-11/
- More than 18000 child abuse cases recorded. By Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi. The Sun. Published 5th March 20204. https://thesun.my/local-news/more-than-18000-child-abuse-cases-recorded-DF12176467
- Hailes HP, Yu R, Danese A, Fazel S. Long-term outcomes of childhood sexual abuse: an umbrella review. Lancet Psychiatry. 2019 Oct;6(10):830-839.
- Women’s Centre for Change. ‘What is Child Sexual Abuse’ https://www.wccpenang.org/child-sexual-abuse-what-is/. Website accessed 22nd September 2024.
