Spouses are not meant to be hurt

KUALA LUMPUR - Being abused, humiliated, assaulted and sexually harassed are what women face as a victim of domestic violence.

Although marriage was supposed to lead to a household of happiness and love, the statistics by the police showed that there were a total of 30,346 domestic violence cases within the past five years.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department director Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hassan said financial issue, drug abuse, stress and jealousy were among the reasons of domestic violence.

A wife, he said was not meant to be harmed and most women involved in such cases suffered from the violence for years.

"However, police reports were lodged when they (victims) could not take it any more or when they sustained serious injuries," he told Sinar Harian.

He urged victims of domestic violence to seek advice or find ways to solve the problem before the situation became worse.

He said among the steps that could be taken were by engaging experts such as psychologists and counselors.

"Victims must know their rights from a legal standpoint and they must know that there are agencies prepared to help them such as the Social Welfare Department, hospitals as well as the police that will provide them with a solution for the problems they face," he said in conjunction with the 2023 International Women's Day, today.

Malaysians from time to time were shocked with domestic violence cases including the most recent one in which an actor was arrested to assist in an investigation into a case where he allegedly hit his wife at the Sungai Buloh rest and service (R&R) area in Selangor, last week.

It was previously reported that his wife lodged a police report on Friday claiming that she was hit several times by her husband causing injuries on her eye.

Meanwhile, Nur Iman Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Women and Single Mothers Association (Witus) president Shiella Tukimin said women who were suffering from domestic violence must immediately lodge a report as suffering from physical and emotional abuses for too long could destroy an individual’s life.

"Usually, a victim would live in fear and be complacent as they felt pitiful for their partner and children.

"That can no longer become a belief for women today. They must act immediately by contacting the office or head to the nearest government agency for help," she said.

She said the Covid-19 pandemic had made the matter worse when there was a spike in abuse and divorce cases.

"The increase in divorce cases were caused by economic situation. Even though they were less stable while they were single, the situation (financial) was still under control.

"Additional commitment such as food, diapers and family’s basic necessities caused emotional disturbance," she said.

Shiella said financial commitment was not a simple matter as it would get worse after a divorce.

She urged the government to take effective measures to overcome the issue and work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which intended to help the victims.

"Usually, the issue we face is lack of transparency in nafkah (financial support).

"The government must give a chance to NGOs that are active so that the grants or funds could help women who are being abused," she said.