A total of 110 prosecution cases involving rape were recorded in Sabah in the first six months of this year, compared to 223 cases in the same period last year, said Minister in the Prime Minister Department Nancy Shukri.

She said based on statistics, seven cases of child abuse were reported in the state, compared to 19 cases in the same period in the previous year.

"This figures showed that the government takes a serious view of criminal cases involving women and children in Sabah," she said when officiating the seminar on the 'Rights and Issues of Women and Children' here, today.

Nancy also said the government, through the Sabah Attorney-General's Chambers, had taken appropriate action in ensuring women and children's rights in Sabah were always protected through law enforcement.

She added that several initiatives had been implemented to ensure the women and children were always well-protected, including making sure the country's law continued to be relevant and meet current requirements.

"So far, the AGC is studying the possibility of amending and widening the definition of rape under Section 375 of the Penal Code by taking into account the act of inserting an object or other organs, besides the private part," she said.