Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri said schools should be the safest place for children, and responsibility rests not only with administrators but also with parents and government agencies.
“In my view, schools should be the safest place. If they are no longer safe, what will happen to our community? All parties must do their duty,” she said in Kuala Lumpur, commenting on a recent case involving a Form Three student allegedly raped by two seniors at a Melaka school around 2.50pm in a classroom in Alor Gajah. The act was reportedly recorded by two other students.
Nancy said her ministry has dispatched an officer to meet the victim’s family at the hospital and sent a counsellor to provide support. “If the family needs help, we will assist, especially for trauma,” she said.
She acknowledged rising parental concerns over student safety and said the ministry will continue family-based and parenting programmes to raise awareness of safety and social responsibility.
The ministry will also review current initiatives and strengthen cooperation with the Education Ministry and security agencies to safeguard students nationwide.
