Kids turned away in Malaysia Solution

Some migrant women are forced to stay inside or travel in groups to avoid being singled out by police and RELA, the paramilitary corps.

While men are asked for a cash bribe when stopped, some police allegedly sexually harass and abuse women.

This is the frightening scenario awaiting refugees who will soon be sent from Australia to Kuala Lumpur under the federal government's controversial refugee swap.

Malaysian opposition MP and foreign affairs spokesman Liew Chin Tong - who has called for a ban on the use of the rattan cane - said sexual harassment and abuse of female refugees was rampant.

"One member of parliament told the story of Chinese women caught and molested in police custody. This exists; it's a real threat and it's part of the systematic culture of abuse that exists behind closed doors," Mr Tong said.

It is inevitable that will occur again unless we break the people smuggler's business model.'

The government hopes the plan will erase a 'pull factor' for people smugglers, persuading them not to send children in boats.

Mr Bowen was responding to documents obtained by the ABC which show Malaysia was demanding tough new conditions for the proposed refugee swap deal which the minister says will be signed within weeks.

The proposal involves Australia sending up to 800 asylum seekers to the back of the queue in Malaysia in exchange for 4000 processed refugees.