PARLIAMENT | There have been 13,272 cases of children being raped between 2010 and May 2017, according to police statistics.

Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim said in that time frame, there have also been 6,014 molestation cases; 1,796 cases of incest; and 1,152 cases of unnatural sex.

All the cases involved victims under 18 years old.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Rohani said Johor had the highest number of child rape cases at 2,089 or 15.7 percent.

Selangor recorded the most cases of molestation (1,052) and unnatural sex (235).

As for physical violence against minors, Rohani said there were 2,244 cases.

The minister said the government has taken steps, such as amending the Child Act and introducing the Child Sexual Offences Act, to help tackle sexual crimes against children.

She said there are also plans to set up a special child sexual crimes court in every state. Currently, the special court is only in Putrajaya.

The special court, Rohani said, gave a sense of security to child abuse victims, and would help them in testifying against their attackers.

"They won't feel afraid. Sometimes they see their rapists and they can't even talk.

"Which is why we've set up the special court, to curb their fears," the minister said.

In the special court, only the victim and the accused are separated, with only the judge having access to the victim.

Rohani said her ministry has also carried out various outreach programmes to educate children about sexual crimes, including on "good touch, bad touch".

However, she said, parents must also play a role in educating children about sexual crimes, even though it is an awkward topic to discuss.