THE Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) has released its 2024–2025 Statistics and Findings Report, exposing a sharp increase in cases of violence against women in Malaysia and highlighting the growing complexity of abuse faced by survivors.
According to the report, the total number of cases handled by WAO rose to 7,939 in 2025, up from 5,209 in 2024.
General inquiries climbed from 2,691 to 3,952, while domestic violence cases increased from 1,162 to 1,759.
The data further indicated rising incidents across multiple categories, including relationship disputes, non-intimate domestic violence, technology-based harassment, sexual harassment, and child abuse.
Technology harassment cases were particularly alarming, more than doubling from 92 to 251, signalling the growing threat of digital abuse.
Vulnerable groups, including single pregnant women, trafficking victims, migrant domestic workers, and survivors of incest, were also increasingly affected, highlighting heightened vulnerabilities within these populations.
The demographic analysis revealed that wives remain the largest category of survivors seeking shelter services, accounting for 60 cases in 2024 and 59 in 2025.
Intimate partner violence continued to be the most prevalent form of abuse, while cases involving ex-wives fell from 11 to six.
Most residents in WAO shelters come from high-density states, with Selangor and Kuala Lumpur recording the highest numbers.
Economic vulnerability was also evident, with the majority of survivors falling within the lowest income bracket of RM0–RM1,500, totalling 68 cases in 2024 and 66 in 2025.
The report emphasises the urgent need for financial assistance, employment support, and economic empowerment programmes for these women.
Intimate partner violence remained the primary driver of shelter admissions, with husbands identified as perpetrators in most cases — 60 in 2024 and 59 in 2025. Incidents involving biological parents rose from five to eight.
Commenting on the report, WAO executive director Nazreen Nizam said the findings underline that violence against women is far from an isolated issue.
“It is not merely a personal problem. It is not about ‘other people’s household’ or ‘relationship problems.’
“Violence against women is a structural issue. It is closely related to power inequalities, oppressive gender norms, societal stigma, institutional weaknesses, and gaps in protection within our laws and support systems,” she said.
Nazreen added that the increase in reported cases signals an urgent need for support, protection, and reform.
“In fact, this increase does not necessarily mean that violence is becoming more prevalent. It may also indicate that more women are bravely seeking help.
“When more victims dare to speak out, our systems must be ready to welcome them — with empathy, efficiency, and appropriate protection,” she added. - March 10, 2026
