Child sexual abuse (CSA) is one of the most severe violations of a child’s rights, and yet, it often goes unnoticed, unreported, and misunderstood. In response to this urgent issue, Global Shepherds has been actively engaging key stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and community leaders, to raise awareness and strengthen child safeguarding efforts.
In Sabah, child labour represents a material social risk, particularly in plantation environments where children may accompany or assist family members. According to the 2018 Employment Survey in Plantations by the Government of Malaysia, an estimated 19,800 children were involved in the oil palm industry in Sabah. Such settings can expose children to a range of risks affecting their safety, health, and access to education, including vulnerability to child sexual abuse (CSA).
Global Shepherds recently partnered with Wilmar to organize a dynamic, interactive workshop centered on the three core pillars of CSA prevention: SPOT, STOP, and SUPPORT. With support from the Nestlé Human Rights Fund for palm oil, administered by Winrock International, the workshop aimed to raise awareness, build capacity, and inspire concrete action in preventing and responding to child sexual abuse within both communities and workplaces.
The first workshop conducted on May 20, 2025 was specifically designed to offer an engaging, activity-driven experience, combining practical knowledge with empathy-driven reflection. Each session was structured to deepen participants’ understanding while equipping them with actionable tools and strategies.
SPOT: Recognizing Child Sexual Abuse and Its Signs
The first part of the workshop focused on understanding what CSA is, how it occurs, and how to recognize the signs especially those that are less obvious. The session began with an energizing activity, People to People, which encouraged participants to reflect on their assumptions and engage in meaningful conversations about the causes and dynamics of CSA.
Participants explored different forms of abuse, including non-contact CSA, online exploitation, and grooming which is a manipulative process where abusers earn a child’s trust to avoid detection.
Through the Circle of Knowledge activity, they discussed the emotional, behavioural, and physical indicators of abuse. Case scenarios featuring a fictional child named Tuk Tuk were used to help participants practice identifying red flags, making the learning both personal and practical.
The takeaway was clear: CSA is not just a physical violation, but a betrayal of trust, and recognizing it requires attentiveness, empathy, and knowledge.
Stop: Speaking Up and Taking Action
In the second session, STOP, participants explored the legal, ethical, and collective responsibility of reporting and responding to child sexual abuse. The Responsibility Puzzle activity emphasized that safeguarding children is a shared duty not limited to social workers or caregivers. Everyone in a child’s environment has a role to play.
The disclosure roleplay allowed participants to practice responding sensitively to a child revealing abuse. It reinforced the importance of staying calm, believing the child, and following correct reporting procedures.
Laws such as the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and the Child Act 2001 were discussed, highlighting serious legal consequences for failing to report abuse.
A key highlight was the Real-Time Reporting Challenge, a simulation exercise where groups navigated the reporting process to the Royal Malaysian Police (D11 Unit), Hospital OSCC, and the Social Welfare Department. This hands-on activity helped participants understand how to support the child through each reporting channel, from providing statements to accessing medical care and case management.
Support: Providing Trauma-Informed and Survivor-Centred Care
The final session, SUPPORT, focused on what happens after a child discloses abuse. Participants learned the principles of trauma-informed care and a victim-centred approach, emphasizing the importance of compassion, safety, and non-judgment.
A standout activity was Support Island, a creative group exercise where participants designed an imaginary island for CSA survivors. Each group developed safe spaces incorporating emotional, spiritual, educational, and recreational elements ranging from counselling zones and medical huts to play areas and learning centres. This activity underscored the need for holistic, long-term support that goes beyond crisis response.
The session concluded with The Trauma-Informed Web, where participants examined examples of both harmful and supportive language used when speaking to survivors. It demonstrated how everyday words can either empower or re-traumatize a child, and challenged adults to adopt more mindful, empathetic communication.
Protecting children starts with you
The Spot Stop Support workshop was more than just an awareness session; it empowered participants to take meaningful action against child sexual abuse. The session reinforced that everyone has a role to play in protecting children, while also reflecting Wilmar’s commitment to building safer and more compassionate communities.
If you are interested in organizing similar child safeguarding and protection workshops, please contact Global Shepherds Berhad at info@globalshepherds.my
Written by: Marni Masri, Senior Programme Executive
For a deeper understanding of responding to child survivors, read our article on Managing Disclosure from Child Survivors.