A Conceptual Framework for Investigating Malaysian Parents’ Awareness Factors on Paedophilic Behaviour

Abstract

Paedophilic behaviour poses significant risks to child safety, yet parental awareness in Malaysia remains underexplored. Despite legislative measures such as the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act 2017, cases of child sexual abuse continue to rise, highlighting systemic gaps and cultural barriers. This paper proposes a conceptual framework grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) to examine three critical awareness factors: education on “stranger danger,” awareness of online platform risks, and perceived effectiveness of child protection laws. These factors are hypothesized to influence parental perceptions of paedophilic behaviour, which in turn shape preventive actions. The framework addresses research gaps by integrating cultural norms, digital threats, and legal confidence into a unified model tailored to Malaysia’s sociocultural context. Methodological considerations suggest a quantitative approach using stratified sampling and Structural Equation Modeling for future validation. The study’s significance lies in its theoretical extension of CBT, practical guidance for policy and awareness campaigns, and social contribution toward empowering parents as proactive defenders against child exploitation. This conceptual model offers a foundation for evidence-based interventions that strengthen child protection strategies both online and offline.