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Kelantan, a state in Malaysia, grappled with a disturbing escalation in sexual offences throughout the year 2023, as reported by the police who documented a total of 249 cases. This significant increase of 52 cases compared to the 197 incidents reported in 2022 has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of residents in the region. Kelantan police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun shed light on this disconcerting trend, revealing that the reported cases spanned various sexual offences, including rape, incest, sodomy, molestation, and violations under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Breaking down the data for the year 2023, Muhamad Zaki provided a detailed overview of the reported cases. There were 115 reported cases of rape, 36 cases of molestation, 17 cases of incest, eight sodomy cases, and 73 cases involving sexual offences against children. This marked a notable rise from the previous year, where 85 cases of rape, 14 incest cases, seven sodomy cases, 32 molestation cases, and 59 cases of sexual assault against children were reported.
Analyzing the statistics further, Muhamad Zaki emphasized that a substantial portion of the cases involved victims aged 16 and below in 2023 – 154 cases in comparison to 117 cases in the same age group in 2022. The data revealed an increase in reported rape cases involving minors under 16 last year, totaling 78 cases, compared to 61 cases reported in 2022.
In response to these alarming statistics, Muhamad Zaki stressed that various programs have been implemented to combat these social ills. Initiatives, including engaging students, aim to raise awareness and prevent further incidents. The rise in sexual offences underscores the urgency for proactive measures and community involvement to address and prevent such incidents effectively. Collaborative efforts between authorities, community leaders, and residents are essential to create a safer environment and protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to these heinous crimes.
Evon Anak Jerim is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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