KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — Unicef has commended the Royal Malaysia Police and other authorities for rescuing 402 children from welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
The children had been subject to exploitation and neglect, among others.
“We hope this action marks the end of their trauma and the beginning of their healing,” said Unicef representative in Malaysia Robert Gass in a statement today.
Gass noted that the children have experienced unimaginable horrors and will need long-term professional medical and psychosocial support.
“The damage caused is serious and often results in lifelong consequences,” he said.
He said children in institutional care need the support of qualified social workers who can monitor welfare homes effectively.
“Unicef stands ready to support the government in protecting children deprived of parental care and preventing unnecessary family-child separation.
“It is time to adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards violence against children in all its forms. Every child has the right to grow up in a supportive family environment,” he said.
Saying he was “deeply shocked and appalled” by the reports, Gass emphasised that as long as children reside in unregulated institutional care settings, they remain at heightened risk of violence and abuse.
— Bernama
