Circular No 022/2018
Dated 22 Jan 2018

To Members of the Malaysian Bar

Special Guidelines for Handling Cases on Sexual Offences against Children

In an effort to eradicate sexual offences against children, the Government set up the Court for Sexual Offences against Children on 22 June 2017, and the Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017 came into operation on 10 July 2017.

A set of comprehensive guidelines entitled “Garis Panduan Khas untuk Mengendalikan Kes Kesalahan Seksual terhadap Kanak-Kanak di Malaysia” (“Special Guidelines”) was launched at the Palace of Justice, Putrajaya on 13 Dec 2017.  The Special Guidelines were drafted by a working committee consisting of representatives from the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court; Attorney General’s Chambers; Royal Malaysia Police; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development; Legal Aid Bureau; Social Welfare Department; Bar Council; and non-governmental organisations, as well as academics.

The Special Guidelines consist of the following four main topics:

(1) Police report and investigation;
(2) Trial proceedings;
(3) Handling of child victims and witnesses; and
(4) Protection of, and support for, child victims and witnesses.

The Special Guidelines are aimed at providing an integrated approach to handling cases on sexual offences against children, from the point at which a police report is lodged until the final disposal of the matter in court.

Click here to download a copy of the Special Guidelines.

Thank you.

Ajeet Kaur and Srividhya Ganapathy
Co-Chairpersons 
Child Rights Committee