Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Hannah Yeoh has encouraged parents to check if a potential babysitter or teacher has a prior record of child sexual offences.

She said child abuse could occur anywhere and the government had released the child sex offenders registry on April 1 which allows the public to screen those who would care for their children.

She said the checks are free and can be done at any of the Social Welfare Department (JKM) offices.