About Lapor Predator

Lapor with us. Safer internet, safer childhoods.

Welcome aboard our mission to fight online sexual crimes against children. We hereby introduce our automated Chatbot. The chatbot functions as a convenient online reporting medium for online sexual exploitation and abuse of children (OCSEA).

Children increasingly have access to the internet and social media platforms as a younger age and for greater proportions of their time. While it is beneficial for their growth, it has also put them at risk of negative exposures; risks accentuated by the Covid-19 pandemic forcing children to spend extensive times on the internet for educational purposes.

Perpetrators profit from technological advances to target, groom and abuse children. This risk is further amplified by a lack of parental control on the use of devices and a lack of awareness among children about the risks of their online behavior.

Harrowing Numbers

Recent figures show that 117 Malaysian children were sexually assaulted by perpetrators they met through the Internet, between January and May 2017; Malaysia scored 0/100 in the Out of the Shadows index, indicating a severe lack of Internet protection for our children. Although Malaysia is equipped with some legal framework to combat online child sexual crimes, there is no collaboration between the stakeholders to utilize the platforms and legislations and reporters face many challenges when it comes to reporting due to unclear procedures, lack of moral support by authorities and at times, being left unattended by relevant parties.

Taking Action

Lapor Predator provides an online platform where online child sexual abuse concerns can be reported, removes the obstacles to reporting and assists reporters in each step of the reporting process.

Our Journey

Aug 2020 - Ideation

MAU had received a funding opportunity from Impact Malaysia which kickstarted the plan to address the loopholes pertaining to the reporting of online abuse.

Sep to Oct 2020- Building and Testing

A group of dedicated individuals has been recruited to operate the project. We also built a website which explained the issue at hand and also learning resources for the public. On top of that, we successfully developed the chatbot for reporting.

For further realisation of the chatbot, consultation meetings with different parties were organized, which included meetings with:

  • an IT and data practitioner
  • women and child rights NGOs
  • psychologists
  • PDRM and MCMC.

Nov to January 2021 - Live Prototype Testing

Let’s Lapor Predator is the first 3 series of live prototype testing events for the Lapor Predator Chatbot, which intends to garner a diverse set of feedback for its improvement before being launched to the public. The online testing sessions also serve to educate the community about the importance and the necessity of having an online reporting system for online sexual abuse.

The testing sessions have formed many meaningful relationships and connections with people from different industries. We are grateful for the support given and receiving advice and suggestions to improve the chatbot. Specifically, the financial support from The Southeast Asian Feminist Action Movement (SEAFAM) allowed us to initiate and execute the series of events.

  • Let’s Lapor Predator 1.0 - Teacher Edition
  • Let’s Lapor Predator 2.0 - Activist Edition
  • Let’s Lapor Predator 3.0 - Child Advocates Edition

Jan 2021- Recruitment and Training of Case Managers

Case managers are specially trained for case management skills with the role of assisting the report (if identity is disclosed) throughout the process. The training was conducted by MAU, and 8 case managers had gone through 5 training sessions in the last 4 months (last updated July 2021).

Feb 2021- Sailing safety with MAU

In conjunction with the Safer Internet Day (9 February), the month-long campaign had been conducted to build resilience in children about online dangers. The series of events includes 2 IG Live sessions with our advocates, an online safety workshop for teens and also a virtual forum with internet experts and authorities.

Apr 2021 (10/4/21)- Lapor Predator Virtual Launch

After 9 months of preparation for the chatbot, we have officially launched on the 10th of April, where the event is live streamed on Facebook, Youtube and Twitter, with an accumulation of 977 views across the platforms. The launch was held to spread awareness of the Lapor Predator reporting tool to a wider and more diverse audience. With the support from our team, partners and volunteers, the launch has featured a live interview session, speeches of distinguished guests from various industries and two amazing performances from children performers.

June- Aug 2021- Catch Em Predator Workshop

Specifically targeting teenagers and young adults, the workshops have currently benefitted 75 people while involving 17 volunteers to join the cause in promoting internet safety for all. Read more here (link to Initiative Page, Catch Em Predator)

Oct- Dec 2021- ‘You’re in Control!’ Campaign

This campaign was launched to spread the word about what we do at MAU and make sure youths all over know the options available to them in times of need. To educate and instill awareness on how to report cases of sexual abuse and how to be safe when navigating virtual spaces. Click here to explore our resources on protecting yourself from exploitation online!

Future

We will be planning more projects into the future, let’s see how far we’ll go!

Our Partners

Monsters Among Us (MAU) is a non-profit organisation that combats systemic violence against children in Malaysia through youth-led child rights advocacy.

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