Parents in child abuse cases maybe compelled to attend counseling

Parents involved in cases of child abuse may be compelled to attend counseling session and parenting courses once they have served their sentences, if convicted.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the move was aimed at ensuring that such cases would not recur, besides serving as a lesson to the parents.

"The occurrence of child abuse cases has made me more determined to go down to the ground and give lectures (to parents), and I even want to compel parents to attend counselling and parenting courses...but of course, this will come after those involved were convicted, served their sentences or paid their fine."

She said this to reporters after officiating the Pink Wig-A-Thon Charity Run 2017, organised by Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation at the Perdana Botanical Garden here today in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Rohani was referring to the case involving a 10-year-old boy who was found chained to a cooking gas cylinder in Bandar Indera Mahkota, Kuantan as reported recently.

Following the report, a 32-year-old military personnel and his 37-year-old wife, who is the mother of the victim, were remanded for six days from Oct 6.

Meanwhile, Rohani said breast cancer was still the number one killer among women.

"Hence, this charity run aims at raising awareness about the disease and the importance of undergoing early screening," she said.

The second edition of the biannual charity run attracted about 2,500 participants wearing pink wigs as a sign of support for breast cancer fighters.

-- BERNAMA