Child abuse: Poverty, mental health to blame, says expert
Universiti Sains Malaysia's Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said that identifying the root causes behind this rise was essential for the development of effective prevention and intervention strategies.
He said that economic hardship played a significant role in contributing to child abuse.
"Families facing poverty and unemployment often endure elevated stress levels, which can result in neglect or abuse. The Family Stress Model explains how economic disadvantage can lead to psychological distress in caregivers, which in turn affects parenting behaviours and increases the risk of child maltreatment," he told the New Straits Times.
Dr Sundramoorthy said that parental mental health issues — such as depression, anxiety and personality disorders — were closely associated with instances of abuse.
"Parents struggling with these issues may find it difficult to regulate their emotions, potentially leading to harmful behaviour towards their children.
"A lack of parenting knowledge and skills may also result in inappropriate disciplinary actions and neglect. Without proper guidance, some parents may unintentionally harm their children, which underscores the importance of accessible parenting education programmes.
"Family instability, including divorce and domestic violence, creates environments in which children are more vulnerable to abuse. The absence of a parent or continuous conflict within the household can lead to both emotional and physical harm."
He added that parental substance abuse — including alcohol and drugs — impaired judgement and increases the likelihood of abusive behaviour.
Dr Sundramoorthy said that external stressors, such as overcrowded living conditions and a lack of social support, exacerbated the risks of child maltreatment.
"In short, the complex nature of child abuse calls for a holistic approach that tackles economic, psychological, and social contributors. Providing support such as mental health services, parenting education, and financial aid can significantly reduce these risks.
"Community involvement and the robust enforcement of child protection laws are equally vital in ensuring the safety and well-being of children," he said.
State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said that the Penang Social Welfare Department had recorded a total of 4,080 child abuse cases since 2010, including 201 reported between January and April this year.
Of these, 113 cases involved girls and 88 boys. The reports encompass physical, sexual, and emotional abuse across all five districts in the state.
The data reflects a long-standing trend in which girls are disproportionately affected by sexual abuse.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
#HEALTH: Do you really need antibiotics for a sore throat?
IN Malaysia, as in many other countries worldwide, there is growing concern over a silent, yet widespread epidemic caused by the excessive and often inappropriate use of antibiotics. This issue is particularly evident in the treatment of sore throats, which are usually the result of viral infections and do not require antibiotics. The widespread overprescription of these medications has serious and extensive consequences, leading to a troubling increase in antibiotic-resistant superbugs that pose a significant threat to public health, says Universiti Sains Malaysia senior consultant, department of otorhinolaryngology - head and neck surgery, Professor Dr Baharudin Abdullah. The misuse of antibiotics can lead to a rise in mortality rates and exerts a significant burden on healthcare infrastructure and the economy, draining resources and complicating treatment efforts across the board. "It is more critical than ever to enhance public awareness and promote responsible prescription practices to protect public health and ensure the continued effectiveness of existing antibiotics," says Dr Baharudin. The World Health Organisation's Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System has categorised Malaysia as a high-alert nation due to the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In comparison to other Asian countries, Malaysia is among the leading nations in terms of antibiotic overuse, akin to Thailand and China, where obtaining antibiotics without a prescription remains a prevalent issue. The Health Ministry has consistently raised alarms about the escalating issue of AMR, yet the trend of overprescribing antibiotics remains prevalent due to several key factors. IN DEMAND Many Malaysians mistakenly believe antibiotics can cure viral infections, and even think they are effective for pain relief. Many physicians in both public and private primary care settings are often influenced by patient expectations and diagnostic uncertainty, leading to the prescription of antibiotics even when they are not clinically indicated. Studies show that in Malaysian hospitals, the challenge of AMR is becoming increasingly apparent, with a surge in drug-resistant strains like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Dr Baharudin says this predicament results in extended hospital stays, increased healthcare expenses and a greater chance of treatment failures. "Treating a resistant infection can be up to three times more expensive than a non-resistant one, placing a substantial financial burden on both patients and the healthcare system." THE ECONOMIC IMPACT In addition to its effects on healthcare, AMR has major economic and environmental consequences. According to World Bank estimates, by 2050, AMR may cause the world economy to contract by as much as 3.8 per cent, which might result in the poverty of 28 million people. The need for more costly second-line therapies and extended hospital stays will drive up prices for the already overburdened healthcare system. Furthermore, the environmental impact is too great to overlook because overprescribed antibiotics frequently end up in wastewater, contaminating soil and rivers and facilitating the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations outside of hospital settings. While the statistics paint a grim picture, Malaysia is not without recourse. The country has already made significant strides in public health, from implementing national antibiotic stewardship programmes to conducting public awareness campaigns. However, these efforts need to be scaled up and reinforced with a long-term, multi-sectoral approach, says Dr Baharudin. "Strengthening enforcement of antibiotic sales, improving diagnostic capabilities in primary care settings, and fostering stronger collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers and the public are critical next steps." Malaysia has a strong track record of advancing healthcare, which puts it in a unique position to lead efforts domestically and throughout Southeast Asia in the regional fight against AMR, he explains. Since Malaysia has already made great progress in improving healthcare - from bolstering universal healthcare laws to spearheading programmes for managing infectious diseases - it can support a regional AMR action plan that unites Asean countries in concerted efforts to stop antibiotic abuse. By advocating for stricter cross-border regulations on antibiotic sales, harmonising prescription guidelines and championing large-scale public awareness campaigns, Malaysia can set the benchmark for responsible antibiotic stewardship in Southeast Asia.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Experts call for tobacco and alcohol tax revenue to fund quit clinics
GEORGE TOWN: Experts lauded Putrajaya's announcement to expand "pro-health" taxes, including those on tobacco, electronic cigarettes (vape) and alcoholic beverages, in a bid to curb the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Universiti Malaya Epidemiologist and Public Health Medicine Specialist Professor Dr Sanjay Rampal, however, said the taxes should be specifically earmarked for quit clinics. He said extra tobacco tax ideally should go to quit smoking clinics while alcohol tax should be earmarked for quit alcohol clinics. "I think this (pro-health taxes) is a good move. "What we want to avoid is insufficient allocations for programmes that help the public quit these behaviours despite a sin tax increase," he told the New Straits Times. He was responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) today that Putrajaya would expand "pro-health" taxes, including those on tobacco, vape and alcohol products, in a bid to curb the rise in NCDs. Anwar said the government must be firm in addressing health risks. He also said that pro-health taxes would be expanded beyond sugar to include products such as tobacco, vape and alcohol, not merely for revenue, but to drive behavioural change and curb the worrying rise in NCDs.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
MVCC: Keep vape affordable to help smokers switch
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) backs the government's health initiatives but has called for caution on proposed taxes on vape products. "We support the government's goal of encouraging healthier choices. "However, any tax on vape products must recognise that vape is significantly less harmful than cigarettes. "It is crucial that vape remains more affordable than tobacco to incentivise smokers to switch," MVCC secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli told the New Straits Times. Ridhwan said pricing vape products too closely to cigarettes risked discouraging smokers from making that transition which would ultimately undermine public health goals. "pro-health" taxes on tobacco, vape and alcohol products under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to curb the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He said the government must be firm in addressing health risks. He also said that pro-health taxes would be expanded beyond sugar to include products such as tobacco, vape and alcohol, not merely for revenue, but to drive behavioural change and combat NCDs.
