GEORGE TOWN: Penang recorded 288 domestic violence cases in the first nine months of this year involving both men and women.
Last year, the state recorded a total of 450 domestic violence cases.
State Social Development and Welfare committee chairman Lim Siew Khim stated that, of the total 288 domestic violence cases reported between January and September, 64 victims were men, and 224 victims were women.
"Last year, there were 105 male victims and 345 female victims.
"Domestic violence cases involving men include verbal abuse, cyberbullying, and such.
"Domestic violence is one of the social issues that often occurs until it becomes a norm in the community and is considered as a disruption in a family that should be resolved without the intervention of other parties.
"Nevertheless, this issue is interpreted as a criminal offense that can be arrested, a seizable offense (with permission) under the Domestic Violence Act 1994 (Act 521) read together with provisions under the Penal Code (Act 574) as well as other written laws," she told the state legislative assembly session here today.
Lim (DAP-Sungai Pinang) was responding to a question from Lee Boon Heng (PKR-Kebun Bunga).
Lee had asked about the domestic violence cases statistics and plans by the authorities to address the issue.
Act 521, enforced on June 1, 1996, applies to all people in Malaysia regardless of gender, race, religion, nationality to curb the issue of domestic violence.
Lim said, taking into account the current needs following the increase in domestic violence cases in the community, Act 521 was amended in 2012 and 2017.
She said the amendments involved expanding the definition of domestic violence to include psychological and emotional injuries in addition to physical.
"In diversifying the support services provided to victims of domestic violence, the Penang State Safe Family Policy has been formulated and implemented since 2020.
"A total of 345 First Support Points have been trained to provide initial support to victims of domestic violence until today by the Penang Women Development Corporation (PWDC) and Women Center for Change (WCC). This First Support Point consists of government departments/agencies, assemblyman service centres, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and religious organisations.
"In addition, various awareness programmes have also been conducted for more than 1,600 people to increase the awareness of the people about the symptoms of domestic violence and how to get help," she added.
Lim said apart from law enforcement, the cooperation of government and private agencies involved in the handling of domestic violence cases was important to deal with this issue.
"Systematic implementation of educational programmes, family training, and counseling services with the cooperation of all parties involved is important for the well-being of the community and the social development of the country," she said.