906 Domestic Violence Cases Reported In 2021 So Far, Mostly Due To Economic Pressures

A total of 902 cases of domestic violence have been reported in just the first four months of 2021, mostly due to economic pressures that stem from financial problems, reported Sinar Harian.

Minister of Women, Family and Community Development (KPKWKM), Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun said that from January to December last year (2020), PDRM opened a total of 5,260 investigation papers while the ministry’s Talian Kasih received 2,540 calls, all involving domestic violence cases.

“Perhaps many families faced problems as their income and economic livelihood were badly affected. Their physical movements were restricted and some of them channelled that anger towards their loved ones and family members,” she said on Tuesday (3 May).

Rina Harun added that based on statistics of domestic violence cases, intervention and cooperation of various parties are required. KPKWKM and the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) have since collaborated to make the mosque a transit centre for domestic violence.

She said two mosques were selected to be part of the pilot programme, namely the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Mosque and the Al Ghufran Mosque, where victims of domestic violence, regardless of race and religion, can seek refuge.

The mosque provides dormitory room facilities, basic personal needs as well as food and drink during their stay there.

“In caring for the victims of domestic violence at this transit centre, each victim will be provided with a dressing kit containing clothes and pants, blankets, bath towels, toiletries and basic women’s needs,” she said.

According to The Star, she said that the victims will be housed there for about three days before a court order is received.

“Once we receive the green light, they will be transferred to the gazetted protection houses,” she added.

 

Also read: Domestic Abuse Has Increased in Malaysia During MCO, But Why Is It So Hard For Women to Break Free?