Government / Public Policy

Sexual Offences Against Children Act to be reviewed, loopholes plugged

JOHOR BARU: The Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 has to be reviewed and revised to uphold the plight of minors who have become victims of abuse and sexual crimes.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said amendments will need to be carried out if shortcomings and loopholes in the enforcement of the act are identified.

"I see that the framework of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 needs to be enhanced and we will focus on making some amendments.

"My hopes were that a case could be resolved within a year with this act, however, there are some leniencies that we need to address by tightening the law," she said after opening the Pengerang Parliamentary service centre in Bandar Panawar near Kota Tinggi here today.

Azalina who is also the Member of Parliament said she will have a special meeting with all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) related to children to discuss this element of child crime.

She also said there was a need for the special court for children to be reviewed, revised and enhanced.

"The courts need to be revamped to be more suitable and child friendly so that children would not be afraid to testify," she said, adding that this would also go towards smoothening the investigation and prosecution of such a case.

Azalina said her ministry also wants to study matters related to evidence extraction.

She said the extraction of evidence from the scene of the incident or the hospital was difficult.

"There are indeed some cases that depend on the evidence provided by the child, so I want a study this."

On the proposed independent commission to safeguard the rights of children, Azalina said this would provide a deeper understanding of legal processes related to children.

The Minister had proposed the setting up of the commission in 2021.

Azalina also said she would hold discussions with Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to create a clear programme for public understanding about sexual offences against children at primary and secondary levels.

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