DOMESTIC violence cases in Malaysia rose 3.9 per cent to 7,391 in 2025 from 7,116 the previous year, with another 5,862 cases reported between January and September this year.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Nancy Shukri said the latest figures showed that domestic violence remained a serious concern requiring sustained attention, although the 2026 statistics did not yet cover the full year.
She stressed that domestic violence was not limited to physical injuries but also included emotional and psychological abuse, sexual violence, threats, confinement, restrictions on movement, property damage, financial control and humiliation.
"Domestic violence cannot be treated as an internal family matter that should be kept silent. Instead, it must be addressed as a safety issue and a violation of human rights requiring systematic attention and action from all parties," she said.
Nancy was speaking at the Symposium on Strengthening Policies Against the Reality of Domestic Violence: Addressing Challenges and Empowering Family Institutions in Kuala Lumpur today.
The symposium will be held in two sessions, with the first running until tomorrow and the second scheduled for mid-November in Kelantan.
She said input gathered from the sessions would be analysed and consolidated into a roadmap report and resolutions to address domestic violence.
Nancy also highlighted emerging threats in the digital age, including surveillance, harassment and intimidation through technology.
"These forms of violence may not leave visible marks, but the emotional and psychological wounds suffered by victims can be long-lasting," she said.
She said the increasing number of calls to the 24-hour Talian Kasih 15999 hotline indicated greater public awareness and confidence in the service as an avenue for complaints and early assistance.
The hotline operates 24 hours a day throughout the year to receive enquiries, complaints and requests for assistance related to domestic violence.
Victims and members of the public can also seek help through WhatsApp at 019-2615999.
Nancy acknowledged that despite various initiatives, improvements were still needed to strengthen existing support and protection mechanisms.
She said the symposium provided a platform for stakeholders and survivors to identify challenges, assess the effectiveness of current approaches and propose improvements to victim assistance and protection. - November 5, 2026
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