KUALA LUMPUR, UNICEF has commended the Royal Malaysia Police and other national authorities for their action and coordination in rescuing 402 children from various welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. The children had been subjected to among others, exploitation, and neglect. 'We hope this action marks the end of their trauma and the beginning of their healing journey,' said its Representative in Malaysia, Robert Gass, in a statement today. Gass noted that these children have experienced unimaginable horrors and will need long-term professional medical and psychosocial support. 'The damage caused is serious and often results in lifelong consequences,' he said. According to him, children in institutional care need the support of qualified social workers who can monitor welfare homes effectively. 'UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in protecting children deprived of parental care and preventing unnecessary family-child separation. 'It is time to adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards violence against children in all its forms. Every child has the right to grow up in a supportive family environment,' he said. Expressing 'deeply shocked and appalled' by the reports, Gass stressed that as long as children reside in unregulated institutional care settings, 'they will remain at heightened risk of suffering violence and abuse.' Source: BERNAMA News Agency