The lack of anonymity in lodging complaints may deter victims or family members from making reports, especially if the complainants were the victims themselves or their family members, said Wong Poai Hong, executive director of the Childline Foundation.

Wong said complaints on child pornography could be lodged online through government portals, but complainants might be asked to file police reports.

They may find it embarrassing to do so as they are unable to remain anonymous, she said.

“That’s why they are uncomfortable with the fact that they need to go to the police station.

“Some police stations don’t even have a D11 unit (which investigates offences involving sex crimes, women and children) or an officer trained in handling such child-related cases,” she told FMT.

Sharmila Sekaran, who heads the Voice of the Children organisation, said the authorities need to reassure people that they will not be penalised should they unintentionally come across child pornography.

Under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act, it is an offence to produce, access, possess, exchange and sell child pornography.

“If you report this, are you going to be perceived as someone who is deliberately looking at these images or videos? Or will the police thank you for your service and move on?” she said.

The comments by Wong and Sharmila came in response to reports that police have identified 107,764 Malaysia-registered internet addresses suspected of being used to share child pornography.