The recent case where the two-year-old girl, Noriszyani Amilya Ahmad, died following months of heartless abuse is shocking. What is especially worrying is that abuses to the child were reported on three occasions before her death. In other words, there were at least three times when the child could have been saved from the torture she went through.

The failure of the officers of the Welfare Department to protect Norisyani, points to a desperate need for a complete revamp in the way cases of child abuse are handled.

The little girl's life could have turned out so differently if one of the people concerned had persisted and ensured that some definite saving action was taken.

Child abuse can take on various forms. It may be at the extremes like sexual abuse, but the constant shouting at a child, belittling with cruel words, punishments that take the form of severe beatings, scalding, burns and starvation are all abuse. Sheer neglect of the emotional, mental and physical development of a child can also be included. All are traumatic for a child.

In many instances, relatives and friends and even child protection authorities are aware that some form of abuse of the child is taking place, but are usually reluctant to speak up or take positive action on the child's behalf.

It is either felt that there will be no lasting effects on the child, or more often, there is a wish not to jeopardise the relationship with the child's parents or caregivers. Or, people suppress their conscience by telling themselves that it is not their business.

However, it has to be acknowledged that society cannot leave the welfare of children to parents alone. The reality is that some adults are simply not equipped to be parents.

Society has to step in and play a part in curbing child abuse. Childcare authorities, uncles, aunts, grandparents, siblings, neighbours once there is awareness or even a suspicion that a child is being abused action must be taken. Children are not able to protect themselves.

The writer is the president of the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).