By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: Preventing harm against children remains the greatest investment, as intervention through the judicial system often comes too late, said Sabah and Sarawak Subordinate Court registrar Elsie Primus.
She said by the time a child enters the courtroom, harm has often already occurred.
"Courts may determine rights, impose accountability and provide legal remedies, but they cannot undo abuse that has already taken place.
"Child protection also does not end when a child leaves the courtroom. For many children, legal proceedings represent only one stage in a much longer journey towards recovery.
"Healing often requires ongoing counselling, psychological support, education, stable family environments and sustained community care," she said during her keynote address at the Child Safeguarding Conference Sabah here yesterday.
Elsie said preventing harm to children begins with informed parenting and supportive families.
She said this could be further strengthened through quality education, accessible healthcare, early intervention services, mental health support, effective reporting mechanisms and public awareness.
She added that communities must also speak up whenever a child's safety is threatened.
"Child protection is stronger when every institution understands not only its own responsibilities but also the importance of working together," she said, referring to the Social Welfare Department, police, Attorney-General's Chambers, Legal Aid Department and civil society organisations, among others.
Meanwhile, she said the Malaysian judiciary has established specialised courts designed to provide a child-centred system of justice.
The Court for Children, established under the Child Act 2001, hears cases involving children in conflict with the law.
Another significant milestone was the establishment of the Special Courts for Sexual Crimes Against Children under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792).
"Across Sabah and Sarawak, dedicated child witness rooms and child-friendly waiting areas have been established to provide children with calm, welcoming and age-appropriate spaces.
"Most recently, the Malaysian judiciary introduced the Mobile Court for Children.
"Through this initiative, judicial services are brought closer to children living in rural and remote communities, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, where geographical challenges can significantly affect access to justice."
Sabah Assistant Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Rina Jainal, who was present at the conference, said that according to 2024 statistics, 1,181 out of more than one million children in the state required protection.
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