Malaysia considers adding sexual offences victim compensation for children to Bill

Currently, she said, the court had not been given wide powers to deal with the plight of victims of crime.

"This is something we must consider. In India and the United Kingdom, victim compensation is one of the strategy, and assistance to help victims and their family. Penalisation by penalty via victim compensation is one of the deterrent strategy.

"Counseling and medical repair are very expensive. It is not only the child who is affected. The family members are also effected emotionally," she said after the closing of the forum '' Hard Talk: A-Z Children in Contact With the Law'' at the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (IKLAP) here today.

Azalina said the victim compensation was one of the four additional provisions suggested to enhance and strengthen the bill on Sexual Offences Against Children.

"I'll propose to the cabinet next week for a study be conducted to include the provision," she said.

Besides the victim compensation, Azalina said a special court to deal with sexual crime against children, appointment of victim advocates or watching brief lawyer in cases involving child victims and providing victims support service would also be included.

She said the setting up of the special court , expected to begin operation in June, was to ensure proceedings and trial for sexual crime against children could run smoothly and also to protect the children.