A total of 594 victims from 1,304 cases of migrant smuggling and human trafficking investigated since January until yesterday have been placed at seven shelter homes nationwide.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim said two of the shelter homes were in Johor and one each in Sabah, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Kuala Lumpur.

"Most of those rescued, including teenagers, were foreigners. Usually, they will be placed at the shelter homes for three months, or in certain cases, a little longer.

"At the shelters, they will be provided with counselling and other services, including rehabilitation, deportation and re-integration into the society."

Rohani said this to reporters after launching the Sarawak Women's Shelter Home, held in conjunction with the Seminar on Legal Literacy and Emotional Management in Kuching today.

The Sarawak Women Shelter Home is expected to be fully operational in 2018.

"Once operational, the shelter home is hoped to facilitate law enforcers in managing the victims of human trafficking in the state. Right now, victims of human trafficking in Sarawak were sent to (the shelter in) Sabah," she added.

- Bernama