Women’s minister Nancy Shukri reveals 1,575 child abuse cases in Q4 2025, urging all stakeholders to join ministry’s protection efforts.
PETALING JAYA: A total of 1,575 child abuse cases, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, were reported in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Social Welfare Department.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the ministry is committed to implementing various efforts to protect children.
However, she said the success of the initiatives requires comprehensive involvement from all parties.
“The ministry calls upon all stakeholders to play an active role in ensuring the safety and welfare of children.
“At the same time, society must remain vigilant and proactive in preventing neglect, abuse and maltreatment of children,” she said in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat.
Nancy was responding to Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai), who asked about the number of child abuse cases reported in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the measures taken to address them.
She also said the ministry has implemented a series of initiatives to address child abuse comprehensively, including early counselling for at-risk families, parenting education, psychosocial support and financial assistance to reduce domestic stress that could lead to abuse.
“Services are provided not only by the Welfare Department but also through the National Population and Family Development Board and the local social support centres under the National Welfare Foundation.
“We have also established the Children Development Department to strengthen child protection services and launched the Kasih Kanak-Kanak programme,” she said, adding that the initiative is an advocacy effort aimed at raising awareness and protecting children’s rights in schools and community institutions.
Nancy said in 2025 alone, the programme reached nearly 83,000 children across 676 schools and 48 children activity centres, earning recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records as the “Largest Child Protection Advocacy programme”.
She said community participation is also encouraged through child protection teams, child welfare teams and children activity centres, which operate nationwide, providing support and services to vulnerable children and families.
Nancy also highlighted the effectiveness of its child protection programmes, particularly for children who were victims of abuse and neglect.
She emphasised that these programmes are guided by the principle of the “best interests of the child”, covering immediate protection, rehabilitation and prevention of repeated abuse.
Nancy said a recent department survey showed that children in family-based care responded positively, reporting that the experience taught them the values and meaning of family life.
“Child protection programmes will continue to be strengthened through policy enhancements, capacity building for frontline personnel and continuous monitoring.”
