By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 19: Rape cases involving teenagers in Sarawak have risen to 17 so far this year, up from 10 cases in 2024, with authorities citing social media as a key contributing factor.
Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the increase highlights the urgent need for stronger support systems and early interventions for teenagers exposed to online risks.
“Parents and the public must remain vigilant. Without proper supervision, social media can become a dangerous pathway,” she told a press conference following Sarawak One Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committee (OSTPC) meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
She pointed out that interactions through apps such as WeChat, WhatsApp, Omi, and even games like PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) are among the main factors behind rape incidents involving underage teenagers.
Fatimah also stressed the importance of involving parents in sexual education, ensuring they can effectively support children in cases of teenage pregnancy outside marriage.
Meanwhile, the Social Development and Urbanisation Council (MPS), in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), conducted a study on teenage pregnancy.
Findings show the issue is influenced by individual, environmental, educational, family, and cultural factors.
“These findings are essential in helping us design effective modules and interventions,” she said, noting that they form the basis for programmes such as dialogues and community discussions under the Sexual Education Advocacy Awareness (KAPS) initiative. — DayakDaily
