What is the alarming rate of child victims of online predators in Malaysia?

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One in Three Malaysian Children Under 18 Are Victims of Online Sexual Predators

An alarming statistic reveals that one in three children in Malaysia under the age of 18 has fallen victim to online sexual predators. This concerning trend is underscored by recent police data, which recorded a significant number of online sexual harassment cases involving minors. The primary factor contributing to this rise in child sexual crimes is the pervasive exposure to social media platforms.
Escalating Online Sexual Harassment Cases Involving Minors

Last year, law enforcement agencies documented a total of 1,464 cases of online sexual harassment specifically targeting minors. This figure represents an increase from the 1,272 cases recorded in 2021. Over the past five years, the cumulative number of sexual harassment cases involving children through social media has reached 5,727, highlighting a persistent and growing problem.
Breakdown of Sexual Offences Against Children

Within the broader category of sexual offences involving children over the last five years, physical sexual assault constituted the largest proportion, with 4,440 cases. Non-physical sexual assault accounted for 189 cases, while cases involving access to child pornography numbered 67. Additionally, other sexual offences involving minors totalled 132 cases during the same period.
Social Media as the Primary Conduit for Abuse

The surge in child sexual crimes is directly linked to increased social media exposure, as noted by Assistant Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan from Bukit Aman's Sexual, Women and Child Investigations Division. Predators frequently utilise social media platforms to initiate contact with children, either as an introductory step before committing offences or directly for disseminating child sexual abuse materials and engaging in sextortion. The modus operandi often begins with suspects approaching children via these platforms, regardless of whether the eventual offence is physical or non-physical.

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What is the alarming rate of child victims of online predators in Malaysia?

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