The police have recorded 352 cases of rape committed against those 18 and below between the months of January and March this year, said the Home Ministry.
In a parliamentary written reply, the Home Ministry also said 1,829 cases were recorded last year.
Of these cases, 1,417 cases involved Malays, 98 cases involved Chinese, 57 cases involved Indians and 257 cases involved other ethnic groups.
The written reply did not state if the figures describe the number victims or perpetrators.
The Home Ministry was responding to a question by Dr Izani Husin [PAS-Pengkalan Chepa] who requested for a breakdown of sexual violence cases against children according to race.
Izani also wanted an explanation on the reasons behind these attacks and a description of measures taken by the ministry to prevent them.
Why does this happen?
The Home Ministry's written reply also said there were 770 cases of outraging modesty of children in 2014, and 138 cases of carnal intercourse against children the same year.
According to the ministry, there are five reasons for sexual attacks against children:
- Media influence
"Apart from this, the police also cooperates with the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation, several government agencies and other NGOs," read the written reply.
