24/10/2025

FRIDAY | OCT 24, 2025

10

COMMENT by Dr Muhammad Haziq Zaini

M ALAYSIA is facing a moral and social crisis of growing proportions as the number of sexual abuse cases involving children and adolescents continues to rise. What was once perceived as isolated incidents has now evolved into a disturbing national pattern that regularly dominates headlines. Even more unsettling is that the perpetrators are no longer only adults but also increasingly children themselves. This reality reflects not just a decline in moral values but also the weakening of the systems designed to safeguard our nation’s most vulnerable – our children. According to police data, 5,401 cases of sexual crimes involving minors were recorded in 2023, a figure that exposes the disturbing prevalence of exploitation and abuse. Between January and April 2024 alone, authorities documented 2,059 sexual crime cases against children, indicating that such cases are neither declining nor confined to specific states. They are spreading across communities, schools and even family circles. The Social Welfare Department further reported that as of mid-2025, there were 1,260 sexual abuse cases involving minors, making it the largest category of child abuse recorded in the country. Experts warn that these numbers only represent reported cases while countless others remain hidden due to fear, shame or manipulation by perpetrators. Sexual abuse is not merely an act of physical violence; it is a violation that destroys a child’s innocence, trust and sense of safety. It leaves scars that do not fade – psychological trauma, depression, loss of confidence and fear that can persist into adulthood. Some victims struggle to rebuild their lives while others carry invisible wounds that shape their relationships, education and mental well being for years to come. Even more tragic is that many of these acts occur in spaces meant to nurture and protect, such as homes, schools and religious institutions. When the very places entrusted with moral and emotional safety become the setting of harm, it signals that something fundamental in our society has gone terribly wrong. Equally troubling is the emergence of children and adolescents as perpetrators. Psychosocial research reveals that many of these young offenders were once victims themselves, exposed to pornography or sexual abuse from a young age. Without moral supervision, parental guidance or religious grounding, they imitate

When children become victims and perpetrators

opportunities” available. In fact, limiting your children to one activity at a time is advisable. Create space in your family life – both literally and emotionally. Allow for quiet, unstructured moments. Set aside times when all devices are switched off. Instead of turning on the television, read together, play board games, take a walk or simply talk. Most importantly, enter your children’s world. Spend time discovering what excites them, what worries them and what makes them laugh. These simple, shared moments are how ordinary time becomes quality time and how families stay connected in the midst of a busy world. This article is contributed by Focus on the Family Malaysia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and strengthening the family unit. It provides a myriad of programmes and resources, including professional counselling services, to the community. For more information, visit family.org.my. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com Beyond the courtroom, the battle must begin in the classroom and the home. Value-based sexual education must no longer be treated as optional or controversial. It is not about teaching physical intimacy but about instilling self-respect, boundaries, dignity and empathy. The Quran emphasises in Surah An-Nur , verses 30 and 31: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty.” These verses remind us that the foundation of morality begins with discipline, respect and personal responsibility, values that must be nurtured from a young age. Parents are the first guardians of their children’s safety. They must actively monitor digital exposure, cultivate open communication and teach their children to distinguish between safe and unsafe behaviour. Communities must reject the culture of silence that protects abusers under the guise of preserving family honour. To remain silent is to be complicit. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “Every one of you is a shepherd and every one of you will be held accountable for his flock,” as narrated by al Bukhari and Muslim. Protecting children is not just a moral obligation but a sacred trust. The sexual abuse of children is not merely a legal matter; it is a mirror reflecting the moral health of a nation. When society normalises indecency, ignores victims and excuses wrongdoing, it plants the seeds of a broken generation. Addressing this crisis requires courage – the courage to confront uncomfortable truths, to educate with honesty and to act with integrity. Failure to do so will not only destroy individual lives but also erode the moral foundation upon which our nation stands. The safety and future of Malaysia’s children depend on the choices we make today. Dr Muhammad Haziq Zaini is a senior lecturer at the Centre for Fundamental Studies, Management and Science University. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

The sexual abuse of children is not

merely a legal matter; it is a

mirror reflecting the moral health of a nation. When society normalises indecency, ignores victims and excuses wrongdoing, it plants the seeds

of a broken generation. – REUTERSPIC

often with destructive consequences. The impact of sexual abuse is devastating. Victims often suffer long-term mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal tendencies. The erosion of trust in adults and institutions creates a generation living in quiet fear. This is not merely a criminal issue but a moral emergency that undermines the credibility of our schools, religious institutions and family systems, which are the pillars of national integrity and compassion. Malaysia is not without legal protection. The Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, the Child Act 2001 and provisions under the Penal Code provide clear legal frameworks for justice. However, laws without enforcement are meaningless. Every offender, regardless of age or status, must face the consequences of their actions. Rehabilitation for juvenile offenders is essential but accountability must remain uncompromised. Institutions that fail to protect victims must also be held responsible. The era of concealing wrongdoing to protect reputations must end. Silence and denial only perpetuate the cycle of abuse.

what they consume from digital platforms that glorify sex, dominance and violence. In some cases, both victim and perpetrator are minors, eroding the line between innocence and culpability. When society fails to teach respect, consent and self-restraint, children learn distorted lessons from their screens instead of from their parents, teachers and faith. This moral decay cannot be dismissed as an individual failing; it is a systemic issue rooted in multiple layers, including inadequate moral and value-based education, poor parental engagement and the widespread taboo surrounding open conversations about sexual safety and respect. Many schools continue to avoid teaching topics such as sexual exploitation, consent and online safety, viewing them as uncomfortable or inappropriate. Meanwhile, digital exposure is nearly limitless, yet moral literacy remains minimal. Parents, overwhelmed by work and distracted by technology themselves, often assume that moral education is the school’s responsibility, forgetting that a child’s character is first shaped at home. When both school and home fail to act, social media and entertainment fill the void,

Under One Roof

Beyond ‘birds and the bees’: Teaching children about love, marriage Q: Our first child – a daughter – is only 16 months old, and my wife and I are already dreading the inevitable “birds and bees” talk. Do you have any advice on how to handle this when the time comes? who are secure enough in their own sexuality to say, “I had those same feelings when I was your age. We all do. It’s normal”. Such openness builds trust and helps children understand that their curiosity is natural. marriages and families struggle to find quality and quantity time. There are many reasons for this. The endless pursuit of material comfort demands more income, which in turn requires longer working hours.

When we speak of “honouring marriage”, we mean much more than telling children to save sex for marriage. We are talking about preparing them for a great marriage, just as we prepare them for college or a career – intentionally and proactively. We do that by modelling a loving relationship yourself. Children learn by observing how their parents relate to one another. When they see love, loyalty and trust lived out at home, they gain a living picture of what healthy sexuality within a thriving marriage looks like. Q: Everyone in our house has such a hectic schedule that I often find myself wondering: How can we create real “family time” when we are just trying to make ends meet and get through the day? Focus on the Family Malaysia : Today’s

Focus on the Family Malaysia : Marriage and sex – in that order – are among the most beautiful gifts humanity has been given. Unfortunately, children don’t naturally understand that, thanks to confusion in today’s society about sexuality and marriage. That is why it is up to parents to teach them. If you want your children to develop healthy attitudes towards sex, there are two things you need to do. First, start talking – yes, even when they are as young as 16 months. Second, demonstrate what it means to honour marriage. “Talking” means having age-appropriate discussions about sex that begin in toddlerhood and continued through adolescence. Create opportunities for open dialogue where you can offer candid, age-suitable answers to your child’s questions. Honest conversations like this require parents

Busyness creates fatigue and deflects attention from pressing relational issues. Over time, couples “grow apart” as their lives travel down separate but parallel tracks. Meanwhile, parents may unintentionally model a task-oriented mentality that sends a clear message to their children: finish your duties first, then retreat into your own world – usually one filled with screens, games or private entertainment. If you want to break free from this numbing cycle, start by reassessing your values and priorities. You may need to make some counter cultural decisions – simplifying your schedule, saying no to excess activities and intentionally setting aside regular family time. Don’t worry about how your choices appear to others. It is perfectly fine to select just one or two activities from the long list of “good