Domestic violence: Health Ministry records 9,704 cases last year

SHAH ALAM - The Health Ministry’s Integrated Crisis Services Centre (OSCC) recorded a total of 9,704 cases of domestic violence victims receiving treatment at the centre in 2022.

An officer at the Health Ministry’s Excellence Centre Kasturi Bai stated that out of this total, 84 per cent, or 8,145 cases, were women, and the remaining 1,559 cases were male victims.

She said domestic violence cases involved physical abuse amounted to 5,361 cases of women compared to 1,327 cases of men.

Additionally, there were cases of sexual abuse (2,671 women and 197 men) and psychological abuse (113 women and 35 men).

"In terms of physical abuse, women often injure men with sharp objects such as scissors, leading to hospital treatment.

"Psychological abuse, on the other hand, often involves financial issues when wives are dissatisfied with inadequate financial support, leading to disputes that may involve third parties.

"We also found that most cases of abuse against men occurred during festive seasons," she said during the Sinar Live program titled "Trauma as a Victim of Domestic Violence" held at the Karangkraf Group Complex here yesterday.

The programme, held in conjunction with the Selangor Police Seminar on Combating Domestic Violence was hosted by Inspector Mohd Hafiz Abd Majib and Inspector Nur Rogayah Abdul Shukor.

Kasturi added that a man who had been a victim of abuse since childhood was 14 times more likely to continue engaging in immoral acts towards others.

However, women who become victims of domestic violence are likely to experience suffering 16 times more in terms of physical and emotional abuse.

Therefore, she urged victims of domestic violence, whether women or men, to bravely report the matter to the authorities to prevent worse consequences for themselves and their families, especially their children.

"If left unchecked, an individual may experience depression, leading to suicide and mental illness.

"Children, on the other hand, are left with bad memories and may develop anger and resentment that could lead to violent behavior," she explained.