A recent judicial decision in East Malaysia seems to have escaped the attention of some media outlets. Another alleged rapist married his child victim and was allowed to get away with the sexual abuse in court.

The Borneo Post carried the distressing account of a 28-year-old man who clearly took advantage of a 14-year-old child and was freed by the court. The report states that the judge’s decision was “Since the complainant and the victim of the subject matter of this case wish to withdraw the complaint against the accused on the ground that she is now married to him, there is no necessity to proceed further with this case. Therefore the accused is discharged not amounting to acquittal.”

It’s amazing that, despite the outcry from many on previous such instances, our legal system continues to favour the rapist and not the victim. This decision by our legal system, in ruling in support of a rapist and sex abuser needs to be reviewed. Or systems must not continue to fail children.

Under the Penal Code this girl is under 16 years of age and it is obviously statutory rape; which means there is no defence. The judge would be required by law to rule in the favour of the victim and punish this rapist. If withdrawal of a police report makes this difficult the Child Act could be used. Under the Child Act this person is under 18 and sexually abused.

The Child Act is a mandatory reporting system, which means that withdrawing the police report is meaningless. The Welfare and Health departments and the police are mandated by law to take action. And the judge can rule in the favour of the victim against the perpetrator.

I wonder also who it is that allowed this marriage to take place and solemnised it?

I hope the Welfare Department will act immediately to rescue this child under the Child Act. She requires urgent and sustained emotional and psychological support and counselling. Her parents are also obviously not supporting her rights and needs.

Often the legal profession suggest that the rest of us are poor at understanding the law. But we know justice and injustice when we see it. We have witnessed a number of rulings that concern us. From adults who put fingers in the vagina of children being let off, to the continual abuse of children by marrying them to adults. The child in this situation will now have to live with her alleged rapist.

The legal system must regain some sense of decorum and earn back the respect of the public.

We look to the legal system to protect children not harm them.

DR AMAR-SINGH HSS is a senior consultant paediatrician.