3 days ago
Domestic violence surge spurs action from ministry
Advocates for change: Participant Nor Azila Muda, 47, (centre) holding a sign calling for the elimination of violence against women at the Women's Wellbeing Advocacy Programme @ Domestic Violence (Aku Wanita @ KRT) in Kuala Ibai. — Bernama
KUALA TERENGGANU: A total of 2,467 cases of domestic violence were recorded nationwide from January to April this year, most of them involving housewives, says Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
The Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister said studies showed that most of the abuses were committed by people close to the victim.
'There may be some (victims) who do not even realised they are being abused because the abuse is not just physical, it is emotional.
'Sometimes the perpetrators also use 'reverse psychology',' Noraini said, Bernama reported.
'Studies also found that most abuse is committed by the people closest to the victim or among family members,' she told reporters after launching the Women's Wellbeing Advocacy Programme @ Domestic Violence (Aku Wanita @ KRT) here yesterday.
Noraini said that from January to April, 104 cases of domestic violence were recorded in Terengganu.
Although the number was a decrease compared to 130 cases recorded during the same period last year, the figure was still worrying, she added.
The ministry has started various initiatives to help reduce the number of domestic violence cases, including through the Aku Wanita @ KRT Programme.
Through the programme, issues related to domestic violence will be discussed in depth with experts and survivors who will share how they escaped and recovered from abusive relationships.
'In addition, a psychological intervention session called 'K-Chat' has also been introduced through this programme.'
The session is a group intervention between survivors with trained counsellors and facilitators to help participants understand and deal with issues that have befallen them due to the abuse, she added.
