KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic violence cases have recorded a sharp increase of 66 per cent between 2012 and last year, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said 5,796 cases were reported in 2016, as compared to 3,488 in 2012.
Chew said under the Domestic Violence Act 1994, which provides legal protection to domestic violence victims, is not limited to wives alone, but also extends to husbands, ex-husbands or ex-wives, children, incapacitated adults, and other family members.
“The increase in the number of reported cases is one indicator that the society generally knows and exercises their rights as outlined under the Act.
“It also goes to show that the society's awareness on offences of domestic violence has also increased,” she said in reply to a question by Senator Engku Naimah Engku Taib today.
Engku Naimah wanted to know the effectiveness of the Domestic Violence Act 1994 (Amendment 2012).
To a question on the number of domestic violence cases against women, as well as the abuse and neglect of children between 2010 and this year, Chew said a total of 57,519 cases of violence against women were reported between 2010 and March this year.
She said the number included cases of domestic violence and offences which come under the Penal Code involving women, such as outraging the modesty, incest, and rape.
“Of this, 40 per cent or 23,212 cases are domestic violence cases involving women as victims,” she said.
On the statistics for children, Chew said the number of abuse cases reported to the Welfare Department between 2010 and last year totalled 28,365, with 4,982 cases reported last year, 4,453 (2015), 4,295 (2014), 4,119 (2013), 3,831 (2012), 3,428 (2011) and 3,257 (2010).