Significant increase in sexual offence cases seen in Selangor - Police
SHAH ALAM - Selangor, one of the country’s most populous states, has been grappling with an alarming trend of sexual offences, including rape and molestation cases.
A personnel attached to the Selangor Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division (D11), Sergeant Nurul Baiti Zainuddin said when it comes to sexual crimes, the numbers could be quite high, especially in Selangor.
“Selangor is categorised as having the highest sexual crime rate among all states, mainly because it is one of the most populous states compared to the others.
“When we talk about sexual crimes, it encompasses a wide range, including rape and molestation.
“Unfortunately, many of these cases involve children and often include acts of abuse, including rape,” she told Sinar Daily.
However, she revealed that consensual sexual acts, both among adults and minors, were prevalent.
For example, cases of rape involving individuals in romantic relationships, such as boyfriend and girlfriend, were not uncommon, Baiti continued.
“Most of these cases were relatively lower in number before the Covid-19 pandemic. However, after the pandemic, we observed a significant increase.
“When it comes to rape cases involving minors, the suspects typically fall within the age range of 20 to 50 years, while the victims are mostly minors, aged 18 or younger.”
Commenting further, a personnel attached to Child Interview Center (CIC) of the state’s D11, Sergeant Major Goh Lai Thang stated that when it comes to cases involving homosexuality, detecting such incidents could be quite challenging unless there was an official report made.
“In Selangor, specifically, we have not received many reports concerning sexual crimes or abuse involving individuals with different sexual orientations, including homosexuals and lesbians.
“It's worth noting that these cases, when they do occur, tend to impact teenagers more prominently," Goh said.
On the other hand, Goh talked about the police’s approach to dealing with various events and situations such as street crimes and burglary, with strategies varied depending on the age group involved, ensuring the efforts were effective and relevant.
"For college students and young adults, our primary focus is addressing street crimes and cases related to burglary.
"We understand that these individuals often face different challenges and vulnerabilities, and addressing issues like theft and street violence becomes a priority to ensure their safety and well-being.
"Conversely, when our concern centres around children, especially in the context of events we organise, our emphasis shifts towards addressing sexual crimes.
"This is due to the unfortunate reality that such offences tend to be more relevant and prevalent in cases involving minors."
Hence, she said the goal was to create a safe environment for young individuals where they could grow and learn without fear or harm.
Goh said this at the Karnival Pendidikan Sinar Bestari event held from today to Sunday, where the police opened a booth to create awareness among the public.
She said it was essential to remember that the statistics portrayed at the booth and observations were provided for informative purposes only, intended to improve community safety and promote a better understanding of the challenges faced in maintaining a secure environment for all age groups.
The carnival, which is organised for three days in collaboration with the Selangor State Education Department has over 100 exhibitors and offers over 50 activities for visitors to enjoy.
The carnival is also being held simultaneously with the SinarPlus Makan Fest and the Karangkraf Warehouse Sale, so visitors can also enjoy food, entertainment, and shopping.
