Penang: A total of 349 domestic violence cases were investigated in Penang last year, with 157 cases recorded up to June this year, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying. She emphasized that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) statistics should not be taken lightly as the reported cases may not reflect the actual number of domestic violence incidents.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, some victims remain silent due to fear, shame, or emotional distress, which contributes to underreporting. Lim highlighted the importance of preventing domestic violence at an early stage, identifying risk indicators, and ensuring assistance reaches victims before situations escalate. This was conveyed during the closing ceremony of the 'Wonderful Life' Domestic Violence Awareness programme.
For context, 7,391 domestic violence cases were recorded nationwide last year, with 4,014 cases reported up to June this year compared to 3,768 cases during the same period last year. Lim pointed out that domestic violence manifests in various forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse, as well as financial and digital abuse, which are increasingly gaining attention.
Lim urged society to change the perception that domestic violence is a private matter, stressing that it is a criminal offence requiring community action to protect victims. The Wonderful Life programme, an initiative by the Social Welfare Department, aims to raise awareness about preventing domestic violence through advocacy, education, and community engagement.
The programme also marks the beginning of a five-year plan to strengthen efforts to address domestic violence in the 10 states with the highest number of cases by 2025, including Penang. Lim expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for allocating funds through the 2025 SARA Appreciation Aid programme, which supports advocacy programmes related to domestic violence, with Penang being the second state after Sarawak to implement this initiative.