Schools need trained health staff to identify child abuse, experts say

Health experts are calling for Malaysian schools to establish trained health personnel capable of identifying signs of child abuse and neglect among students. Regular visits from qualified doctors or nurses could create safer environments where children feel comfortable disclosing trauma or harmful situations, they argue.

The presence of trusted medical professionals in schools serves a dual purpose: providing accessible healthcare while creating opportunities to detect abuse that might otherwise go unnoticed. Expert consensus suggests that consistent, qualified staff can build the rapport necessary for students to come forward about concerning circumstances in their lives.

Beyond identification, experts emphasize the need for robust support systems to properly address cases of abuse when discovered. Current frameworks in many schools lack adequate resources and referral mechanisms to handle disclosures effectively and ensure appropriate intervention.

The recommendations form part of broader efforts to strengthen child protection mechanisms in Malaysian educational institutions, where health services remain inconsistently resourced and staffed across different states and school types.