Protective environment
In 2006, UNICEF in partnership with the Government, undertook a mapping exercise which provided an analysis of the overall protective environment for children in Malaysia. The exercise, which also included an assessment of the prevalence of marginalised and vulnerable children and children at-risk, formed the basis of a report which included recommendations for program and advocacy responses designed to mitigate those risks and to rehabilitate victims.Child abuse and neglect
In 2006, under the leadership of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, UNICEF formed strategic partnerships with the Malaysian Association for the Protection of Children, and the Royal Malaysian Police to strengthen the professional framework to prevent child abuse and neglect in Malaysia. Activities are also designed to increase the capacity of social workers in delivering protection services in the court process. UNICEF is also working with religious leaders and faith-based organisations to promote zero tolerance on violence against children. Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) will collaborate with UNICEF to review existing pre-marriage and parenting training modules to include information and education to prevent violence, exploitation and abuse of children.

Violence in schools
To effectively combat bullying behaviour amongst students, UNICEF is working in partnership with the HELP University College Psychology Department and the Ministry of Education to enhance the overall capacity of schools to efficiently cope with disciplinary behaviour among students. In 2006, an estimated 2,200 students aged 13 and 14 years old as well as 250 teaching staff, non-teaching staff and parents from three secondary schools participated in the pilot project. Once completed, the test project will be mainstreamed into the current Government framework on bully prevention in schools.