SRI AMAN: The protection of children should not rest solely with the government but must be a shared responsibility across all levels of society.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said that the abuse and neglect of children cannot be curbed if the public continues to be indifferent and disengaged.
“Children are a trust. They are the heirs of our future. Yet, many continue to fall victim to abuse, neglect and exploitation.
These are not just statistics — they are real stories that demand action from all of us,” she said during the launch of the Program Advokasi Perlindungan Kanak-Kanak: KASIH Kanak-Kanak at Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-Kanak (PAKK) Sri Aman, here on Saturday.
She also said that the suffering experienced by children often happens in silence, hidden behind the walls of homes and shrouded in fear and stigma, making community intervention critically important.
The programme, which began at 1pm gathered various agencies and local communities in a joint effort to strengthen awareness and advocacy concerning children’s rights and protection.
Statistics from the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) showed that 685 cases of child abuse and neglect were recorded in Sarawak between January and June 2025, including 40 cases in Sri Aman alone — alarming numbers that demand a comprehensive response.
The KASIH Kanak-Kanak programme, launched in 2024, has involved more than 128,000 participants from 337 schools across the country.
In Sarawak, 25 schools with 5,589 participants have taken part, and the programme has now been expanded to include PAKK locations, including Sri Aman.
She also urged children who feel unsafe to report their situation to a trusted adult or to contact the Talian Kasih hotline at 15999.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. No one will be angry. There are many people ready to support you,” she said.
She reminded the public not to be passive spectators when it comes to abuse but to report such cases to the authorities instead of merely spreading them on social media.
