GEORGE TOWN: Penang recorded 209 abuse cases in the first nine months of this year.
State Social Development and non-Muslim Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng said, of the total 209 abuse cases, 91 were wrelated to sexual abuse, negligence (67 cases), physical abuse (42 cases) and emotional abuse (nine cases).
She said the Seberang Prai Tengah district recorded the highest number of cases at 97, followed by the northeast district (58), Seberang Prai Utara district (21), southwest district (19) and Seberang Prai Selatan district (14).
"Among the factors of these abuse cases include financial problem, negligence by parents, guardians and caretakers as well as the abuser being involved in crime cases.
"Other causes include hyperactive children, cyber influence, health problem involving parents, guardians and caretakers, children following their boyfriend and peer pressure," she said in response to a question by A. Kumaresan (PKR - Batu Uban) at the state legislative assembly sitting today.
Chong (DAP - Padang Lalang) said various immediate and supporting measures were taken by the Welfare Department to help the victims under the department's standard operating procedures (SOP).
She said, for a start, the department would rescue the abuse children within 10 years of receiving a complaint or information.
"They would then take the victims to hospital for treatment if there is a necessity and confirmation from medical officer about the abuse cases.
"A temporary order under Section 19 of the Child Act 2001 and a permanent order under Section 30 of the same act will be obtained from the court to place the child under the care of eligible caretaker or a safe place.
"Similarly, advice services and counselling intervention will also be provided," he said.
Besides that, Chong said a Child Protection Team was also appointed under Section 7 of the Child Act 2001 to play a role in implementing advocacy programmes involving child abuse cases at the local community level.