Violence against children

Violence against children

Child Act 2001

Child Act 2001

Child rights & protection

Child rights & protection

UNICEF in action

UNICEF in action

Advocacy

Advocacy

Policy and technical support

Policy and technical support

Research and analysis

Research and analysis

Public awareness

Public awareness

No to violence!

No to violence!

Partners

Partners

Newsline

Newsline

Real lives

Real lives

Resources

Resources

 

Research and analysis

© UNICEF Malaysia/2006/Nadchatram

Child and family welfare
Child wellbeing is a key concern in Malaysia's development agenda as reflected in various initiatives to implement the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, with UNICEF support, is conducting an assessment of the child and family welfare system focusing on how the system prevents and responds to abuse, violence and exploitation of children. The findings will feed into recommendations for child protection to be incorporated into national and decentralised planning processes.

Child injury database
In 2008, UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Health’s Centre for Health and Policy Appraisal and Enhancement to develop and pilot a Child Injury Database to capture information about the incidence of intentional violence and injury to children, as recommended by the report of the former Secretary General on 'Violence against Children'. The database is designed to incorporate information on the social status of families, including employment and income status, as well as the correlation between poor social protection, inappropriate parenting and children's physical safety.

The evidence collected about intentional and unintentional injuries will also reflect information about the safety of children, including issues of neglect, and will be used to guide the development of the most appropriate child protection policies to prevent childhood injuries and enhance rehabilitation services. Following the pilot in Kluang Hospital, Johor, preparations are being made to implement the next phase in Sabah, East Malaysia.

Justice for children
UNICEF is working with a range of partners in Malaysia to introduce “Justice for all children”. The program recognises children who come into conflict with the law as victims, acknowledging that a majority of them are victims of neglect, exploitation and social and economic hardship. Justice for children also recognises the right of these children to have proper care, education, guidance, protection and the opportunity of social reintegration.

UNICEF has been working in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to undertake the first comprehensive review of the status of the juvenile justice system in the country. This review aims to understand the existing legal, policy and service gaps, as well as to prepare a comprehensive and integrated national juvenile justice reform strategy which fulfils international and national commitments.