Women’s Ministry Refutes That Domestic Violence Rates Have Increased Since MCO Began
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The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) has denied that they recorded a rise in domestic violence calls to their helpline, Talian Kasih since the implementation of the movement control order (MCO).
In a statement on 4 April, the Ministry said that a news article citing that they had seen a 57% increase in domestic violence cases during the MCO was not true.
KPWKM wishes to stress that the percentage increase in calls covers all categories including cases on Covid-19, Welfare Department aid reference, counselling and others.
KPWKM via Malaysiakini
They clarified that their ministry views all calls received including domestic violence and abuse seriously, especially during MCO, and swift actions would be taken by the Welfare Department (JKM) under the Child Act 2001 (2017 amendment) as well as the Domestic Violence Act 1994.
The ministry also urged that the data on domestic violence and child abuse on their portal should not be misinterpreted.
The statement was a response to several news articles citing the ministry’s Talian Kasih hotline had seen a 57 per cent increase (or 1,893 calls) from women in distress up to March 26.
Besides the Ministry, several women’s rights NGOs had also reported that they too received an increase in the number of domestic violence distress calls and WhatsApp to their hotlines since the implementation of the MCO.Â
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