KUCHING: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) wishes to refer to a report on the status of children who are victims of rape and further marry offenders who are currently serving their jail terms.
The ministry wanted to assert that marrying rape victims will not protect offenders from being punished for rape offences committed.
Penalties imposed on offenders for the case clearly indicated that the existing legal system is robust in protecting victims of crime and in particular for this case involving children.
This was stated in a press statement by the ministry yesterday.
As a ministry responsible for the protection and welfare of children, the ministry takes the stance that children’s marriages are not encouraged and they should be given the opportunity to develop their full potentials.
In this case, underage marriages can provide physical and mental challenges and pressures that cover various aspects of health, education and finance towards a child.
However, KPWKM agrees with the decision of the victim and the family to continue the marriage of the couple according to the existing law.
The Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 and the Islamic Family Law Enactment in states provide that a marriage under the age of 16 is allowed by the approval of the Syariah Court.
In this regard, KPWKM is committed to provide the necessary social support networks such as counseling and regular monitoring for the welfare of children and their families.
As stated by its Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim in the August House of on August 1, 2017 in writing, the latest visit to the child’s family house found the child healthy and still living with his parents.
The child informed her that she was comfortable living with her parents by helping her mother to take care of her nieces/nephews who live together.
The Welfare Department will continue to monitor the condition of the child who lives with her family and will provide any necessary support for the effort to ensure that the child can continue to live well.
