Activists advocate for harsher penalties to tackle cases of violence against women and children

A women’s rights organization in Macau has urged authorities to implement harsher punishments to address the increasing incidents of violence against women and children in the region.

In a statement, Loi I Weng, the vice-president of the Women’s Association, emphasized the need for Macau to strengthen deterrents and ensure the safety of women and children from violence. This includes raising the maximum sentence limit, eliminating suspended sentencing, and reevaluating the implementation of coercive measures.

She noted that the rise in reported cases of violence against women and children indicates that more victims are seeking help. However, Loi emphasized that prevention and deterrence are the most effective approaches to addressing the problem.

Government data shows a significant increase in cases of child sexual abuse, with 36 cases registered last year, a 33% rise compared to 2022.

In 2019, only 11 cases were recorded. Additionally, there were 129 cases of domestic violence reported by victims last year. Loi, who is also a member of the state-run Council for Women and Children’s Affairs, said that existing laws and administrative measures need to be reviewed promptly to enhance their deterrent effect and improve support and protection for victims.

“It must be emphasized that the psychological damage caused to victims of sexual assault is often long-lasting or even permanent. Raising awareness about reporting is just one part of protecting minors; prevention is the best measure to safeguard children’s safety,” she warned.

Loi also noted that some victims fear retaliation from their aggressor, should they file a police complaint and seek help.

To address this, Loi emphasized the need for collaboration between the government and community service institutions to provide comprehensive support, both psychologically and financially. While the government revised the Penal Code in 2017 to impose stricter penalties for sexual crimes against children, Loi called for a review to investigate why these changes have not effectively curbed child abuse. Staff Reporter