Bukit Aman Warns Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material May Lead to More Serious Crimes
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has warned that individuals who possess or repeatedly access child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online risk escalating to more serious criminal behaviour, including grooming, sexual extortion and other offences involving children.
Bukit Aman’s Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division (D11) said investigations into CSAM-related cases have revealed worrying behavioural patterns, where continued exposure to such content may increase the likelihood of offenders seeking more extreme material and engaging in broader forms of online exploitation.
Principal Assistant Director of D11, Senior Assistant Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan, said repeated consumption of CSAM could develop into a form of behavioural addiction, causing individuals to spend increasing amounts of time searching for and viewing such material.
According to her, the condition shares similarities with other addictive behaviours, where escalating levels of stimulation are required to achieve the same degree of satisfaction.
“Continuous exposure to child sexual abuse material may influence behaviour and encourage individuals to seek increasingly extreme content.
“This is deeply concerning because it can become a precursor to other serious crimes involving children,” she said.
Siti Kamsiah explained that police investigations have found that the sharing of such material often takes place within closed online communities.
Members of these groups may not know one another personally, but they are connected through a shared interest in illegal content and frequently exchange materials through various digital platforms.
“Each group develops its own network and exchanges material with other groups.
“Over time, these communities form extensive networks that can be difficult to detect without sustained monitoring and enforcement,” she said.
She added that demand for CSAM has also created opportunities for profiteering, with some individuals distributing or selling the material for financial gain.
According to her, those involved in possessing, storing or sharing such content come from diverse backgrounds, spanning different professions, age groups and social classes.
“This shows that online sexual crimes are not confined to any particular group.
“It is an issue that can affect every segment of society,” she said.
Previously, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching disclosed that CSAM-related cases recorded by police increased from 68 in 2024 to 152 cases last year.
As of this year, authorities have already recorded 100 cases.
Siti Kamsiah said the actual number could be significantly higher, as wider internet access and advances in digital technologies have made the creation and distribution of illegal content easier than ever before.
In response, she said PDRM continues to intensify enforcement operations aimed at identifying individuals involved in CSAM offences.
Police are also carrying out victim identification processes based on images and videos seized during investigations so that rescue operations can be conducted as quickly as possible.
“Our priority is not only to identify suspects but also to locate and protect victims at the earliest opportunity.
“Every image or video recovered is carefully analysed to support investigations and to assist in safeguarding children who may be at risk,” she said.
Siti Kamsiah also highlighted the importance of the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA), describing it as a major step forward in strengthening Malaysia’s response to online sexual crimes.
She explained that cooperation between digital platforms and law enforcement had previously relied largely on voluntary arrangements, often resulting in delays in obtaining information and removing harmful content.
“With ONSA, digital platforms have clearer legal responsibilities.
“This will help authorities obtain account information more quickly, track suspects, identify victims and remove illegal content in a timelier and more effective manner,” she said.
She stressed that combating online crimes against children requires cooperation from parents, educators, technology companies and the wider community, adding that public awareness remains a key element in protecting children from exploitation in the digital age.
