KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 – The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) recorded 30,228 cases of domestic violence from 2020 to September 2024, with the figures decreasing annually from 2022 to September 2024, according to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).
In 2020, 5,260 cases of domestic violence were recorded before the number soared to 7,468 in 2021, dipping to 6,540 cases the following year in 2022, before decreasing to 5,507 cases in 2023 and 5,453 cases as of September 2024.
However, the Social Welfare Department (JKM) recorded smaller numbers of domestic violence cases with a total of 4,354 cases in the same period. Similarly, the numbers decreased from 2022 to September 2024.
In 2020 and 2021, which was during the Covid-19 pandemic, JKM recorded 1,047 and 1,234 cases of domestic violence respectively. In 2022, the number of cases plunged to 843, and further dipped to 718 cases in 2023 and then 512 as of September this year.
KPWKM has established a committee (Jawatankuasa Menangani Keganasan Rumah Tangga, JKRT) to address the issue of domestic violence, said KPWKM minister, Nancy Shukri in a written parliamentary reply on December 2, 2024.
This committee serves as the main platform to coordinate and monitor efforts and matters related to domestic violence, she said. Its role is also to address issues and problems, and facilitate efforts to ensure that the law, SOPs and guidelines for addressing domestic violence are adhered to and implemented effectively.
“In addition, KPWKM through the Women’s Development Department (JPW) has carried out various advocacy programmes on issues related to domestic violence cases,” the minister said.
“Among the programmes implemented is the provision of counseling services, psychoeducational programmes such as the Matahari Programme, IRIS Programme and the establishment of the Skuad Waja Programme.”
“JPW also has women’s shelters that were established under the provisions of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants 2007 [Act 670]. Some of the shelters have been expanded to accommodate cases of domestic violence.”
