• Today: October 23, 2026

‘Effective laws, awareness crucial to protect children online’

Protecting children from online sexual exploitation and abuse requires effective laws, coordinated action and greater public awareness, said Attorney General and Public Prosecutor Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Muhammed Taib during the lecture ‘Brunei Darussalam’s Perspective On Protecting Children In The Digital Age’ yesterday.

The lecture outlined four key pillars of a prosecutor’s role in protecting children: enforcing the law to protect children from abuse and exploitation; ensuring that penalties reflect the gravity of the harm caused; promoting public awareness and prevention; and strengthening cooperation among relevant agencies and at an international level.

Drawing on Brunei Darussalam’s legal framework and selected prosecution cases, the lecture highlighted how digital platforms can be used to groom and exploit children, coerce them into sharing intimate images, and circulate child sexual abuse material. It was also emphasised that offenders may be individuals whom children already know and trust, and that fear, shame or self-blame can prevent children from reporting abuse.

Public awareness remains an important part of prevention. Through its Cybercrime Awareness Programme, launched in 2014, the Attorney General’s Chambers has conducted school awareness talks and collaborated with relevant agencies to help young people recognise online risks and understand when to seek help.

Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah emphasised that protecting children online is a shared responsibility.

Families, educational institutions, government agencies, telecommunication service providers and the wider community all have a role in helping children stay safe, report concerns and access appropriate protection and support.

The lecture was organised by the Attorney General’s Chambers in conjunction with the 16th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference themed ‘Protecting Children in the Digital Age: Harmonising Legal Frameworks and International Cooperation’.

According to the Attorney General’s Chambers, the lecture was attended by the prosecutors general and attorneys general of the People’s Republic of China and ASEAN member states, as well as representatives from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region, accompanied by their delegations.

Also present were officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Community Development Department under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, alongside lecturers and students from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali and Laksamana College of Business.

The conference is hosted by Brunei Darussalam and will commence with its plenary session today. – James Kon

A section of the attendees. PHOTO: ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS
Attorney General and Public Prosecutor Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Muhammed Taib speaks at the event. PHOTO: ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS
A section of the attendees. PHOTO: ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS


SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN

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