Kuala Lampur, April 19 -- The recent statement by the Kelantan Police Chief that 252 sexual crime cases were reported in just one year, a 22.3 per cent increase compared to the previous year has shocked many.

More than 98 per cent of the cases were consensual but are regarded as rape because the victims were minors. However, public responses particularly on social media tend to downplay the issue or blame external factors such as media influence or technology. Some have even politicised the report or argued that other states should have recorded higher numbers than Kelantan but have concealed the figures.

Based on various studies, there is a strong view that the real problem lies within the cultural roots of society, which refuses to ac...