SHAH ALAM, Aug 10 — Child rape survivors under the care of the Social Welfare Department (JKM) undergo a 12-month recovery process to ensure they receive comprehensive support.
Selangor JKM director Azmir Kassim said the recovery period could, however, be extended if a child is pregnant, as the process would continue until after she has given birth.
He said that if a case was reported to JKM, a protection officer would apply for a court order under the Child Act 2001 to place the child in a safe place or shelter for intervention, protection and rehabilitation.
"If a case is reported to JKM, a protection officer will apply for a court order under the Child Act 2001 to place the child in a safe place or shelter for intervention, protection and rehabilitation," he told Media Selangor.
Azmir said JKM also provides counselling to survivors through the department's counsellors and can place them in shelters where they undergo existing intervention and rehabilitation programmes.
"Under the Act, the period is usually 12 months, but if pregnancy is involved, it continues until after the survivor has given birth. Survivors can be placed in JKM shelters and undergo the intervention and rehabilitation programmes available at the institutions," he said.
Elaborating, Azmir said there were various challenges in assisting child rape survivors, with some withholding information because they feared threats from the perpetrator or being blamed for what happened.
"Other challenges include difficulty in establishing the survivor's actual background and the circumstances surrounding the incident, while survivors may also be traumatised, afraid, confused or ashamed to talk about it.
"Some children may also be reluctant to cooperate or may withhold important information. Incomplete information makes it difficult to assess the case and provide appropriate intervention," he said.
He added that the recovery process took time, particularly in building the child’s trust and confidence, and required strong communication skills and a sensitive approach.
Earlier, state executive councillor for women's development and social welfare Anfaal Saari said 1,845 rape cases involving children were recorded between 2021 and last year, making rape the most commonly reported sexual offence against children during the period.
She said the highest number was recorded in 2023, with 397 cases, followed by 389 in 2024, 376 in 2025, 365 in 2022 and 318 in 2021.
Anfaal said physical sexual assault was the second most commonly recorded sexual offence against children, with 1,654 cases during the same period, an increase of 70 per cent compared with 2021.
During the period, 156 cases of non-physical sexual assault, 42 cases of possessing child pornography and 24 cases involving the production or distribution of child pornography were also recorded.
