The Star headline (12th Sept 2024) reads “rescued from terror homes” alleges more than 400 children were abused in charity homes. It is alarming and confirms what OrphanCare Foundation has been highlighting for many years.
Despite the undoubted good intentions and work of many orphanages and charity homes, it is a system open to abuse of many vulnerable children under their care.
Orphancare Foundation has advocated a programme of deinstitutionalisation with facts and figures showing the highly detrimental effects of institutionalised care for orphans and abandoned children – even if they are not physically or mentally abused.
As a foundation dedicated to ensuring that “Every Child Needs a Family,” OrphanCare works tirelessly to provide children in institutions, the opportunity to grow up in a loving, family-based environment. This includes efforts to reintegrate children with their biological or extended families where possible, and to support families to provide safe, nurturing environments. Where reintegration is not suitable, legal adoption remains a main alternative to ensure that every child has a loving home.
This is an opportune time for the Government and citizens of this country to take cognisance of the ongoing malady in our midst. We must take remedial action for the future of all these children, most of whom are Malaysia-born.
De-incentivising orphanages and legislation to promote deinstituitionalisation via legal adoption and monitored fostering would be a very important first step. The ball is in the court of the Government and in particular, the Welfare Department (JKM), especially after the recent set up of the Special Project Team where the ceremony was attended by the Minister of Women, Family & Community Development, YB Dato’ Seri Hajah Nancy, that is to look into the appropriate amendments of the Child Act 2001.
This gross lack of child protection cannot be ignored further. Urgent cogent and proactive action needs to be taken. The abuse must stop.
The future of these young Malaysians must be secured. A child saved from an institution is a family fulfilled and a nation served.
