The heart wrenching stories of the rape of children in school buses recently have once again raised many questions on issues of the growing violence against children and women.

The statistics on rape and crimes against children are increasing at alarming rates. But the country has failed to demonstrate the political will to enhance and increase the protection of children and women.

The reported cases are only the tip of the iceberg say researchers conducting studies on violence against children and women. Sexual offences against children continue to increase.

NONE Not long ago the Court of Appeal President Zaki Azmi (left ) said he was "perplexed that sexual crimes, especially by parents, stepfathers and uncles were on the rise".

Despite this alarming situation of rape and other crimes against children in the country, little attention has been given to the overall protection and welfare of children.

Forgive me for repeating, the prime minister called for justice with lightning speed for an accuser in a politically-related sodomy matter.

Sharizat Jalil, the minister responsible for the protection of children and women called for a jihad against a political rival in the Permatang Pauh by-election in 2008.

I then asked ,"Why didn't the minister launch a jihad against the heinous crimes against children when she had the political clout and resources? Where are the political and policy actions for the protection of children?

The solutions to the growing problems of crimes against children must be anchored in such measures as policies, legislation and action plans that create a safe environment for children and women at all times.

Central pillar

Protection of children should be a central pillar of government planning. However , when a heinous crime is committed against children, we only see knee-jerk reactions from the key institution responsible for child protection which is the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry. Notably, children are missing from its name.

Perhaps this is why the ministry seems to place children as the lowest priority in its programmes.

NONE In responding to the rape of a 10-year-old girl in a school bus during school hours, Sharizat Jalil ( left ), the woman minister entrusted with the protection of women and children called for studies on perpetrators of sex crimes.

How many studies does she need to safeguard children? Where are the studies that have been carried out? How much has been spent on gender and child studies in the last 20 years?

The public have a right to know. The Ministry should put out this information in the public domain as the prime minister has made transparency in government a key reform agenda.

Other agencies such as academic institutions, professional organisations and NGOs have undertaken a wide range of studies on crimes against children and have submitted many proposals and recommendations for government action. For example, the Bar Council has pointed out that there are insufficient provisions in the Child Act 2001 for offences of sexual assaults compared to the Penal Code.

The failure to implement the many recommendations that are probably gathering dust in some cabinets, have resulted in the increasing number of heinous crimes against our children.

We do not need any more studies and analyses. It is well-known that violence against children is a complex phenomenon requiring effective social policies and plans besides legislation.

Social context

There is certainly a social context to violence against children. There are risk factors such as children being left alone at home, in schools, playgrounds, buses etc. We need interventions, actions and programmes to prevent sexual acts and other forms of violence against children.

Without the political will to develop and implement comprehensive safety plans to protect our children, the cases of heinous crimes against children will escalate as revealed by recent statistics.

We seem to have lost our sense of care and community to protect our children. Have we become bystanders who are reluctant to demand greater responsibility from political leaders who have been given the mandate to protect our children? Can we demonstrate better community involvement?

anti rape crowd The evidence from the reported cases of violence against children indicates that a far greater proportion of children are likely to be victims of sexual assaults and other forms of abuse. Knee-jerk responses like death sentences are not the solutions to violence against children.

As a society and community, we must mobilise to demand for government actions like a National Safety Plan for the protection of children and women as well as accountability and responsibility from authorities entrusted with the protection of our children.

JOSIE M FERNANDEZ is currently an Asian Public Intellectual Fellow, director of Philanthropy Asia, researcher and engages with Transparency International Malaysia in anti-corruption measures. An educationist, Josie moved on to citizen's advocacy working with national/international NGOs. She holds a masters degree in development management from the Asian Institute of Management, Philippines. Working on sustainability, philanthropy and anti-corruption actions are some of her current passions besides writing.