Let children know paedophile danger, says professor
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's (UKM) Family, Women and Child Law lecturer Prof Datin Noor Aziah Mohd Awal believes that the lack of knowledge about sexual harassment against children has caused many such cases to go unreported.
Referring to the case of British paedophile Richard Huckle, who molested up to 200 children between 2006 and 2014, Noor Aziah said the matter could be prevented if children were taught skills to protect themselves, and how to prevent such acts from occurring.
“Many people think it is a bit awkward to share knowledge about sex with children between the ages of five and 12, but in the present situation, parents and school authorities should play a role by educating children about sexual threats, such as the existence of paedophiles.
“For example, children should be taught how to distinguish touches, on whether it is a regular touch or indecent, to ensure they are more clear about the concept of sexual harassment,” she told Bernama.
Asked about Huckle's action of using volunteer work as a means to approach and take advantage of less fortunate children in the country, Noor Aziah said charitable bodies in the country should be more selective in accepting volunteer assistance.
“In welcoming help from volunteers, we should also monitor, and take into account the characteristics of a paedophile," said Noor Aziah, who is also a member of the Malaysian Coordinating Council for the Protection of Children.
“Although this would make it a little difficult for other parties to conduct voluntary work, it may help reduce the risk of children being harmed and maltreated by irresponsible people,” she said.
She also hoped that with the implementation of the Child (Amendment) Act 2015, a list of sexual offenders against children could be established, to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The British media reported that Huckle, 30, a freelance photographer, visited Malaysia as part of a teaching programme when he was 18 or 19, before he sexually violated children while doing volunteer work in Kuala Lumpur.
Huckle, was reported to be grooming children at a church here, and also attended sermons at the church for six years, during his visits.
The BBC reported that the legal proceedings against Huckle began in London on Wednesday.
A total were a total of 91 charges against him, mainly related to 23 children from poor families in Kuala Lumpur, and he pleaded guilty to 71 of them. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday.
Meanwhile, Honorary Secretary-General of the Council of Churches of Malaysia Dr Hermen Shastri advised churches in the country to be careful when recruting volunteers, by ensuring that they not only had the right qualifications, but also good personality and behaviour, to teach children.
He said churches should tighten the rules, and make sure all volunteers and staff adhered to the code of conduct contained in the Child Protection Act.
He said that if there were any complaints from parents or the child itself, action must be taken immediately, so that the perpetrators could be identified and dealt with.
When asked whether the church had rules pertaining volunteers, Hermen said those who wished to work or volunteer would definitely need to attend an interview.
“Church officials must also assure parents that their children would be protected and cared for while they were at the church,” he said. — Bernama
from Malay Mail Online | All http://ift.tt/1RTzWxy
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