KUALA LUMPUR: Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is cooperating with the police in screening backgrounds of babysitters to protect children at nurseries.
Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the ministry and police have principally agreed to strengthen babysitter hiring guidelines.
"I have recently met and discussed with the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay. We (the ministry) have requested that the police help vet babysitter candidates.
"The decision was only made last week. Further discussion is needed to formalise this initiative," Nancy said in a Press conference after attending the Strategic Collaborative Programme for Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy event at KL Sentral today.
Nancy said the police will be checking the candidates' criminal records while the ministry will work on screening specific criteria, including the mental health of the babysitters.
"Recently, there were reports of non-local becoming caregivers. It is a challenge for us to make sure it does not happen because foreigners do not come to this country to be caregivers.
"This is significant for the well-being of children and those who will be cared for," she emphasised.
Nancy stated that the ministry will also conduct spot-checks at daycare centres for regular monitoring purposes.
Earlier, at the Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy event, Nancy called on the public to play a role in ending sexual harassment in public places, including public transportation such as buses and trains.
"Sexual harassment in public transportation is not a new issue, and it makes many women feel unsafe using such services.
Nancy hoped the ladies' coach initiative could be implemented on all public transport to boost the trust of female commuters.
"Police statistics show that reported cases of sexual harassment have increased, from 378 in 2020 to 506 cases in 2021. However, there was a slight decrease in 2022, with 477 cases.
"Most victims are women, with 354 cases in 2020, 446 cases in 2021, and 416 cases in 2022. Over 90 per cent of sexual harassment cases each year involve women," she said.