KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) is focusing on four key approaches to addressing domestic violence: prevention, protection, intervention and rehabilitation.
Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying said these approaches are crucial to ensuring victims receive appropriate protection and support, including after they have escaped abusive situations.
“To strengthen the family institution, our programmes emphasise prevention. When an incident occurs, we focus on protection. We must also have intervention measures in place, while another vital aspect is rehabilitation,” she said during the Kasih Lensa Keluarga podcast titled ‘With Love, Violence Ends!’ (Dengan Kasih, Keganasan Terhenti!), broadcast live on Bernama TV yesterday.
Lim said rehabilitation is essential to helping domestic violence survivors rebuild their lives and become self-reliant after escaping abusive situations.
Protection for victims also includes three forms of legal protection orders: the Emergency Protection Order (EPO), issued by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) without requiring a police report; and the Interim Protection Order (IPO) and Protection Order (PO), both issued by the courts and requiring a police report.
She stressed that domestic violence is not a way to resolve family conflicts, adding that disagreements should instead be addressed through communication, mutual respect and open discussion.
“If violence occurs or there is a threat to safety, victims must seek help,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lim said KPWKM is collaborating with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the community to address domestic violence through a committee focusing on data, education, capacity building and protection.
She added that the community, including families and neighbours, must also play a role in tackling the issue.
“Neighbours and family members need to change their mindset and realise that this is not a matter of interfering in other people's family affairs. Domestic violence is a crime, and we can lodge a report,” she said.
The 24-hour Talian Kasih 15999 hotline provides a channel for the public to lodge reports, seek advice and access psychosocial counselling services, with complaints referred to JKM for further action.
