An alarming number of 402 girls suffered sexual abuse and 210 girls went through physical abuse in 2004, according to figures released by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in Parliament today.

Its minister, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil told James Dawos Mamit (BN-Mambong) that "to prevent this physical and sexual abuses, there must be commitment from all involved in the fight against the scourge".

Government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private and corporate sectors and individuals must also ensure the effectiveness of physical and sexual prevention programmes, she said.

Programmes and strategies which the ministry will undertake in that direction will include counselling for parents and children, providing financial assistance and advisory service to the families of victims.

Protection teams

According to Sharizat, there are 131 child protection teams, and 110 child welfare committees at state and district levels which provide voluntary support services and conduct various prevention, development and advocacy-based programmes.

"There will also be monitoring of the development of child activity centres, 132 in total throughout the country, which have been identified as 'high-risk areas'.

The minister's parliamentary reply also revealed a total of 28 cases of sexual abuse suffered by boys, and 200 boys inflicted physically in 2004.