KUCHING: The Social Welfare Department (JKM) recorded 1,443 child-related cases across the state in 2024, says Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Of the total, she said 574 cases involved children requiring care and protection, 364 were teenage pregnancies, 306 involved juvenile crime, 53 were classified as uncontrollable children, and 36 required immediate protection.
“This figure is not just a statistic but reflects the real-life challenges faced by children who are exposed to various social and protection risks.
“This is why we need Peer Guidance Club (PRS). They can act as early detectors, a safe space for friends to share their feelings, the first line of protection for those exposed to abuse, neglect, bullying, or emotional distress,” she said.
She said this when officiating at a child protection advocacy programme held at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Sarawak Branch, here today.
She added that this collaboration is one of the collective efforts of her ministry, through the JKM, to ensure that the voices of children are heard, their rights respected, and their well-being safeguarded in all aspects of life.
“In schools, PRS members are not just ‘friends who listen to problems’, but they are the eyes and ears, the conveyors of information, and the protectors of their peers,” she added.
Nancy said that the programme has three main objectives which is to equip PRS members with knowledge and skills to help peers facing mental, social, or emotional problems and secondly is preparing them for challenges in the digital world such as cyberbullying, gadget addiction, and misinformation.
“Third is to ensure PRS know how to act if a peer requires protection. This includes identifying signs of emotional distress, knowing the correct reporting channels, and acting ethically for the safety of peers,” she said.
Nancy also raised concern over bullying, describing it as an increasingly worrying issue not only in schools but also at universities.
“Bullying cases have the potential to endanger lives, and they are no longer isolated incidents that can be taken lightly, and the effects of bullying can last a lifetime, involving trauma, depression, loss of confidence, and even leading to suicide attempts,” she added.
