Domestic Violence Act

With the recent amended Domestic Violence Act early this year, abuse and violence cases have dropped significantly throughout nationwide.

According to statistics report by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, from January to September this year, there are 1782 rape cases, 1340 sexual assault cases of and 2481 domestic violence cases reported.

Even though it shows decline compared to last year report, however, I think initiatives need to be steped up to improve the situation of Domestic Violence in Malaysia. Government, parents, schools as well as social welfare organizations must continue to educate the younger generation, especially women and children, how to prevent domestic violence happen to them, or victims of crime in order to further reduce the Domestic Violence cases.

Existing measures such as One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) which almost set up in most of the hospital to provide aid assistance, counseling, medical treatment to assist the survivors and victims of crisis and at the same time fight against the domestic violence pertaining to rape, abuse and sodomy.

In view of the current situation of Domestic Violence in Malaysia, I believe that Government should be able to see the urgency and needs and make priority to Domestic Violence as similar to other issues to commit to various stakeholders through proper gender budgeting. Besides this, Government should also eradicate domestic violence by organizing awareness campaigns. For instance, Government can collaborate with schools and higher institutions to organize seminars and workshop in the respect of equal genders and premarital counseling. I believe that the younger generation will have a better understanding of marriage and gender equal rights. and to lead their lives with a healthy beginning.

With proper knowledge and education throughout their lives in school, I am sure the young generation will be able to make rational thinking and decision in order to lead a healthy life which not only good for themselves, simultaneously form a caring community in the nation.