BUKIT MERTAJAM, Oct 20 (Bernama) – The Department of Women’s Development (JPW) is intensifying efforts to combat violence against women through community advocacy, early intervention and recovery support to help victims seek protection and rebuild their lives.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the initiatives were being implemented continuously through programmes such as Aku Wanita@KRT, Santun Kasih Pemandiri@Domestic Violence (SARI@KRT) and Road to Eliminate Violence Against Women (EVAW).
She said the programmes aimed to raise awareness of different forms of abuse while helping victims understand their legal rights, access assistance and regain financial independence.
“Through programmes like these, we want victims to be able to rebuild their lives, including economically, so that they can become independent and support their families.
“We also seek to empower them legally, including by explaining the actions they can take and the assistance available,” she said after officiating the Penang-level EVAW programme here today.
Organised by JPW through the Penang Women’s Development Office (PPWN), the event drew 260 participants. Also present were Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying, ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Maziah Che Yusoff and JPW director-general Hanani Sapit.
Nancy said Aku Wanita@KRT had reached 4,899 participants, while 322 individuals had received support through K-Chat psychological intervention sessions as of Sept 26.
She said the community-based approach encouraged direct engagement, increased awareness and gave victims greater confidence to seek help.
Nancy stressed that domestic violence extended beyond physical and verbal abuse to include economic abuse, financial control, social isolation and threats through digital platforms.
As of August, a total of 5,278 domestic violence cases had been reported nationwide, compared with 5,041 during the same period last year. Penang recorded 228 cases.
She said the rise in reported cases did not necessarily indicate an increase in incidents alone, as it could also reflect greater public awareness and a growing willingness among victims to report abuse.
Nancy also highlighted the impact of domestic violence on children who witnessed or heard abusive incidents, saying it could affect their emotional well-being, learning concentration and sense of security, while increasing the risk of unhealthy behavioural patterns later in life.
To strengthen support for women, the ministry, through JPW, also runs the Women’s Psychological Resilience (MATAHARI) programme, the Legal and Rights Literacy Programme for Women (IRIS) and Skuad Waja, a community support network.
The Referral, Intervention, Support, Information and Advocacy for Women (PRISMAnita) initiative provides an initial channel for information, preliminary screening, advice, psychosocial support and referrals to relevant agencies or specialists.
Nancy added that digital violence and harassment were also becoming a concern, with perpetrators using threats, stalking and the distribution of private content to control victims or coerce them into acting against their will.
Earlier, she said the ministry had allocated about RM1 million this year to assist women facing financial difficulties, including domestic violence victims who needed to leave their partners with their children.
About The Author
