IPOH – Married women are urged to immediately report to the authorities if there is any incidence of domestic violence and not let themselves continue to become victims of violence that can affect their health, both physically and mentally.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun said they should always realise and be sensitive to changes in their husbands’ attitudes and not keep quiet all the time.
“When you are married, if there are changes in your husband, (if there is domestic violence) you need to get guidance and counselling. Don’t be afraid or ashamed.
“This is what we are trying to discard, the stigma, shame and reluctance (to report) as we have prepared various platforms (to assist these women). It will be a waste if they cannot be fully utilised,” she said when asked to comment on domestic violence incidences, which had led to the loss of lives of late.
She added that recent cases of domestic violence could have been caused by several factors, among them being husbands facing emotional pressure or financial problems due to losing their jobs following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rina said two studies on personal well-being throughout the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) following the pandemic among families in the communities have led to a family intervention programme known as Jelajah Peduli Keluarga (Caring Family Tour).
She said the first study is carried out by the National Population and Family Development Board in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia, apart from the Covid-19 impact research on low-income families in cities by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
She said Jelajah Peduli Keluarga is aimed at reaching out to vulnerable family members to provide support services and help family resilience in facing current and future challenges.
According to Rina, based on the first study, 43.9% of the respondents admitted to facing financial woes and 32.2% having family conflicts, especially among communities living in flats, while in the second research, it was revealed that 30% of household respondents found it difficult to access health services.
“Therefore, accessibility to family support services for this group of society, especially the affected target group, must be stepped up.
“As such, the aim of Jelajah Peduli Keluarga is to support and protect the welfare of the people, as well as to assist family members to recover and continue to be at peace during and after the MCO, apart from being a platform for leaders to go to the ground to meet the people.” – Bernama, March 13, 2021
