Professional Standards Office

Committee For Child Protection

Introduction to Child Protection

 Why a child protection policy?
To comply to

• Malaysian laws and government policies

• Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela (SST)

for the protection of children
 Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the
Child 1924
By the present Declaration of the Rights of the Child, commonly known as
"Declaration of Geneva," men and women of all nations, recognizing that
mankind owes to the Child the best that it has to give, declare and accept it as
their duty that, beyond and above all considerations of race, nationality or
creed:

The child must be given the means requisite for its normal development, both
materially and spiritually;

The child that is hungry must be fed; the child that is sick must be nursed; the
child that is backward must be helped; the delinquent child must be reclaimed;
and the orphan and the waif must be sheltered and succored;

The child must be the first to receive relief in times of distress;

The child must be put in a position to earn a livelihood, and must be protected
against every form of exploitation;

The child must be brought up in the consciousness that its talents must be
devoted to the service of fellow men.
Child Labour
Physical Abuse
Child on child harm
(bullying)
Sexual Abuse
Sex trafficking of children
Child Marriages
• In 2010, Women, Family and Community
Development Deputy Minister Heng Seai
Kie pointed out that approximately 16,000
girls aged below 15 were married in
that year.

• In 2014, the UN Population Fund

recorded more than 15,000 Malaysian
children were married off before the
age of 19.
Verbal and emotional
abuse of children
Discouraging children
Not listening to them
Neglecting emotional needs
Child neglect
Internet Risks
Addiction to computer gaming
and social media
Child Grooming
Cybersex
Media literacy needed to
protect children
Child on child harm
(sexual abuse)
 Malaysia
• Malaysia ratified the CRC in 1995

• Child Act 2001

• National Child Policy

• Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-

Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007

• Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017

• National Child Protection Policy 2009

The National Child Protection
Policy 2009
 Objectives of
The National Child Protection
Policy 2009
(1) Protect every child from all forms of neglect,
abuse, violence and exploitation.

(2) Improve support services to handle neglect,

abuse, violence and exploitation of children.

(3) Creating a safe and friendly environment for

children.

(4) Specify only suitable individuals can deal

directly with the children.
(5) Increase awareness and commitment of various
parties in their efforts to protect children as shared
responsibility.

(6) Encourage organisations related directly and

indirectly with children to establish child protection
policies of their respective organisations.

(7) Increase research and development to improve

the protection of children.
Child Protection Policy
Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur

The CPP has been edited for

presentation and teaching purposes
1. Vision and Mission

Vision – provide a secure, nurturing,

empowering & safe environment for children

Mission – meet this vision with guidelines in

line with Malaysian laws, government policies
& the Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela (SST)
2. Statement of Commitment
- Protect children based on the UNCRC

- The CPP will also serve as a safeguard for all in

the church

- Have child safe principles for recruitment

of church personnel

- Respond promptly to complaints & to

cooperate with authorities in any investigation
3. Definition of Child Maltreatment

- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect and abandonment
- Bullying
4. Principles on the conduct of church
personnel, visitors and service providers

- The church shal be a child-friendly and child-safe

space for children

- All church personnel to sign the CPP

- Visitors and service providers to be briefed on the

CPP and requirements
4. Principles on the conduct of church personnel, visitors and service providers

- Children must be treated with respect at all times

and their opinions sort on matters affecting them

- Respect for their right to dignity, privacy and

confidentiality

- To recognise and support children’s emotional,

spiritual and developmental needs, especially in
respect of children with disablilities
4. Principles on the conduct of church personnel, visitors and service providers

- Protocols to be written to guide conduct when with

children

Example
a. Meeting alone with a child – not be be in an
isolated area
b. All such meetings to be recorded and parents
informed
5. Principles for screening and recruitment

- To have a screening and recruitment protocol to

ensure the right personnel are recruited

- Not to employ or engage anyone with a criminal

record of abuse against children

- Service providers to be engaged based on

recommendations and referrals
6. Principles for the handling and reporting
of abuse

- To respond promptly to suspicions or allegations

of abuse

- Report any breach of the CPP to the PSO:

Committee for Child Protection, Archdiocese of KL
Mandatory reporters of child abuse
or neglect
• Medical officer or medical practitioner

• Family members

• Child care provider

CHILD ACT - Section 27 - 29

Failure to report is an offence
• Fine not exceeding RM 5,000

• Imprisonment not exceeding 2 years

• Or both

CHILD ACT - Section 27 - 29

Anyone who fails to give information
on sexual offences
under The Sexual Offences Against Children Act
2017, to the police, commits an offence.

On conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding

five thousand ringgit.

Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017- Section 19

 Protection of Informers
(Sec 116 - Child Act)

• Not incur any liability for defamation or

otherwise

• The identity and address of the informer

cannot be disclosed
7. Communication with and about children

- To communicate effectively and with appropriate

language with children

- Never disseminate to children inappropriate

images or words by any media

- Confidentiality in storing and accessing children’s

personal information
8. Training in child protection

- To raise general awareness on child protection

and the CPP through training and programmes

- All church personnel be trained in the CPP

- Children in parishes be trained in personal safety

8. Monitoring and evaluation

- The CPP to be reviewed every 2 years

- Relevant changes to be made based on the

evaluation
 Declaration of commitment

I ___________________________, have read and

understand all the provisions and regulations in the
CPP of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

Nama : ____________________________
Signature : ____________________________
The Child Protection Policy in a nutshell

• A guide to prevent abuse and neglect of

children

• A guide for steps to take if there are

allegations of abuse or neglect

• A self regulation guide for staff

• To protect staff from false allegations

HQ