IPOH: A total 689 child abuse cases were recorded by the Perak Welfare Department between 2020 and last year.
State Women Development, Family and Community Welfare committee chairman Datuk Dr Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin said 342 cases were recorded in 2020 and 347 cases last year.
"However, state police statistics recorded only 29 and 23 child abuse cases were reported in 2020 and 2021, respectively," she said.
The Kampung Gajah assemblyman was replying to a question from Leow Thye Yih (DAP-Pokok Assam) at the state assembly sitting in Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here, today.
Wan Norashikin said family disharmony due to financial problems, parental negligence and unhealthy lifestyles were among the factors leading to child abuse cases.
She said the state Welfare Department currently provided care and early protection to children and gave guidance and counselling services to involved parties.
The department officer, she added, would identify family members, relatives, and suitable people to provide care of the child through court orders.
"For children who can't be returned to the family system because there is no family or suitable party to provide care and protection as provided under the Children Act 2001, the child will be placed in the department's children's institution.
"They will be provided with healthcare, education and the necessary skills until 18 years old where they can be independent," she said.
Wan Norashikin added that the department also provides support services to cases of illegitimate pregnancies and sexual abuse cases by providing accommodation at department institutions in Taman Seri Puteri, Batu Gajah here.
Wan Norashikin said that there are 113 child care centre registered with the department, with 22 others including old folk homes yet to be registered.
"The department is also conducting programmes to advocate the importance on the need to register the centres," she said in reply to an additional question from Mohd Kamaruddin Abu Bakar (BN-Kuala Sepetang).