PUTRAJAYA, Oct 23 — Individuals aware of sexual abuse involving children but fail to lodge a police report can be fined up to RM5,000 under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 1972) if found guilty.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said to curb sexual offences against children, enforcement measures need to be aggressive and firm, including charging those close to the victims like teachers and neighbours who may be aware of such an occurrence, under Section 19 of the Act.
“I want to aggressively promote community awareness involving child sexual abuse because if family members, teachers, or neighbours are aware of such incidents and refuse to intervene, it would add to the victim’s predicament as they might feel there is no one they can turn to,” she said after launching eKlinik 6G today.
According to Section 19 of the Act, anyone who is aware of sexual abuse against children but fails to report the matter to police can be charged in court and, if convicted, fined up to RM5,000.
Azalina said she would meet police officers in the Sexual, Women, and Child Investigations Division (D11) and court authorities involved in enforcing the Act and later meet the Children’s Commissioner to discuss ways to improve community awareness programmes.
So far, nobody has been charged under the Act.
— Bernama
