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AUTHORITIES have issued an urgent warning regarding a shift in the nature of threats to minors, identifying immediate social circles and digital networks as the primary vectors for child sexual exploitation.
Data compiled by the Royal Malaysia Police indicates that more than 80 per cent of detected sexual offences against children are perpetrated by individuals known to the victims, including relatives, educators, childminders, and other trusted figures.
The findings challenge traditional assumptions regarding child safety, which historically focused on the threat posed by unknown outsiders, and underscore the vulnerability of children within familiar environments.
Bukit Aman Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division principal assistant director, Senior Assistant Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan, stated that established relationships afford offenders protracted access to victims, frequently delaying detection.
"The deep level of trust and continuous access granted to perpetrators are often the primary reasons why such exploitation occurs without being detected," she said.
The warning follows several federal investigations into authority figures, including a recent inquiry concerning a primary school teacher suspected of assaulting multiple pupils across several states.
Investigators noted that abuse by trusted individuals regularly involves a systematic process of grooming, where offenders leverage their positions to isolate and manipulate targets over extended periods.
"Grooming by individuals in such positions usually occurs over an extended period and often involves more than one victim because predators enjoy easy access to children. Investigations into cases of this nature frequently involve multiple victims within a single case.
“In some investigations, predators were found to have stored various gifts and items intended to be given to victims as part of efforts to gain their trust and get close to them," she said.
Law enforcement officials expressed concern over the tendency of some families to withdraw formal complaints out of a desire to shield the victim from social stigma, warning that halting legal proceedings grants perpetrators impunity to seek alternative targets.
The domestic threat is further magnified by an increase in cyber-enabled exploitation across popular digital platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Telegram, and interactive gaming applications.
Police recently cited an incident where a 10-year-old girl was manipulated via social media into transmitting explicit digital content to an anonymous user, who subsequently used the media to orchestrate a blackmail campaign against the minor.
To counter the rise in virtual grooming, federal police are instructing guardians to implement digital preservation measures immediately upon discovering suspicious interactions, rather than deleting the material out of panic.
"The immediate steps that must be taken are to remain calm and not delete any content, take screenshots of messages or the suspect's profile, record the telephone number or account links involved, and avoid negotiating with the perpetrator. Instead, communication should be terminated immediately without deleting any digital traces," Siti Kamsiah said.
Guardians are advised against resetting or formatting electronic devices used by the victims, as the underlying metadata and communication logs are essential for cyber-forensic tracking and subsequent prosecution.
The D11 division maintains a victim-centred protocol designed to protect the anonymity of minors while facilitating access to emotional and psychological support services.
Siti Kamsiah explained that testimonies from children are secured using specialised Child Interview Centre facilities and Video Recorded Evidence systems to minimise the risk of secondary trauma during the judicial process.
"Protecting children requires the active involvement of every level of society, and victims or their families should not be afraid to come forward and lodge reports immediately in order to prevent the spread of such exploitation cases," she said. - June 13, 2026
