BUTTERWORTH – Violence against women is not only about physical abuse or verbal insults. It also includes economic abuse, where a partner controls finances to the point that the victim has no money to meet her own needs and her family’s.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said such financial control can affect a victim’s emotional wellbeing, trigger depression and disrupt household harmony, including affecting children’s development.
She said awareness of the various forms of abuse must be raised so that women know their rights, recognise the abuse they are experiencing and dare to seek help.
“When a woman is not given money for household expenses, that can also be a form of abuse through financial and economic control.
“This can leave the victim feeling stressed and dissatisfied with her partner and ultimately affects the lives of the whole family,” she said.
She said this at a press conference after officiating the Eliminate Violence Against Women (EVAW) Programme in conjunction with the 2026 Day to Address Violence Against Women celebration here on Tuesday.
Nancy also said violence against women now occurs in the digital space, with technology misused to threaten, spy on or shame partners.
“The spread of such digital content can cause victims repeated distress and harm their family relationships, education, employment and reputation.
“Therefore, awareness of victims’ rights, reporting channels and the forms of assistance available must be widened so that society understands that violence must not be normalised,” she said.
Nancy said the awareness programme is carried out throughout the year in all states and is not limited to Nov 25, the date of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
On EVAW, she said one of its main aims is to help victims rebuild their lives through economic empowerment so that they can become independent, especially after facing domestic violence or divorce.
She added that victims are also briefed on available assistance, their legal rights and the support on offer to help them leave abusive situations.
“We want women to know how they can help themselves, rebuild their confidence and assure their families that they are able to rise again.
“Through this programme, we are not only raising awareness but also helping them obtain their own source of income to support themselves and their families,” she said.
Nancy said a rise in reported cases does not necessarily mean abuse is becoming more widespread. It may instead reflect growing awareness and greater courage among victims to come forward.
She said some victims previously did not know that certain acts, including financial control and other forms of abuse, constitute violence, or that government mechanisms exist to help them.
She said the awareness programme also gives victims space to share experiences and coping methods with others in similar situations.
She added that some victims have even formed WhatsApp groups to share experiences and seek support in leaving abusive situations.
Nancy said the ministry will continue to improve existing programmes, including encouraging more people to join Sahabat Wanita Antigangguan (SWAT Waja) to widen prevention efforts at community level.
She said men’s involvement in the movement is also important because combating violence against women needs the support of all parties.
“Of more than 300,000 SWAT Waja members, about 25 per cent are men. This shows that men also want to play a role in helping women, families and communities in their areas.
“We want more people to step forward as community leaders who can help victims make reports and spread awareness right down to the villages,” she said.
Nancy added that the ministry is also providing financial assistance of about RM1 million, which began this year, to help women who need support to leave home with their children and start a new life.
“Sometimes women who want to leave the home have no money to take their children elsewhere. So we want to make sure they have the help they need.
“This allocation allows us to continue helping them and becomes the foundation for strengthening assistance next year,” she said.
Nancy said the ministry is also working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide transit homes for victims who need temporary shelter.
She also said the police's statistics recorded 5,278 domestic violence cases nationwide up to August 2026, with Penang accounting for 228.
She said the figure highlights the need for society not to take any form of violence lightly, as its impact leaves not only physical injuries but can also rob victims and family members of their sense of safety, dignity and future.