School Violence Against Girls Exposes Weak Safeguards Says Suhakam

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The human rights commission calls for urgent action, including national data on gender-based violence, safer schools and gender-equality education.
Suhakam said Malaysia must provide genuine protection to children in schools.KUALA LUMPUR: The recent spate of violence, bullying, sexual assault and femicide involving girls nationwide signals a failure of Malaysia’s protection systems, says the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam)
Voicing deep concern, Suhakam said that recent cases in Sabah, Melaka, Selangor and Kedah showed increasing violence and sexual assaults against girls.
“Schools, communities and even online spaces that should nurture learning, trust and growth are increasingly becoming sites of fear, victimisation and harm.
“This situation is not only a national tragedy but a serious violation of children’s rights, dignity and equality,” it said in a statement today.
It said Malaysia needs to observe its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Cedaw and Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution.
Suhakam called for coordinated national data on gender-based and child-targeted violence, including femicide, and safer schools through stronger anti-bullying policies, confidential reporting and gender-equality education.
Separately, 57 civil society organisations (CSOs) and individuals called on the authorities to handle crimes involving children tactfully.
“Much as we are deeply shaken and horrified by these violent acts, we are still a society committed to upholding basic human rights for all, especially children.
“Thus, a delicate and critical balancing of fundamental rights must take place,” they said in a joint statement today.
The CSOs include the Women’s Aid Organisation, SIS Forum Malaysia, All Women’s Action Society and Aliran.
Earlier this week, a 16-year-old schoolgirl died after being stabbed by a 14-year-old male student at a secondary school in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.
The case came barely two weeks after an alleged gang rape of a Form 3 student in a classroom in Melaka. The four teenagers involved have since been arrested, with two charged. - FMT

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