KUALA LUMPUR: The country recorded a spike in domestic violence cases last year compared to the year before.
The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in parliamentary reply said the number of cases reported and investigation papers related to domestic violence incidents opened by police last year involved 7,468 cases.
The cases, the ministry said, is an increase of 42 per cent compared to the 5,260 cases reported to the police in 2020.
"In addition, a total 3,028 calls on domestic violence were received by Talian Kasih 15999 from January until December las year.
"From the total calls received, 974 were categorised as reports (on domestic violence cases)."
The ministry was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin (BN - Rompin) who asked the government to state the latest statistics on domestic violence cases.
Hasan also asked the ministry to state the initiatives implemented to stop domestic violence cases as well as measures introduced to assist people affected by such cases.
The ministry, in the reply, stressed that it is extremely concerned and viewed such cases seriously.
The Domestic Violence Act 1994, the ministry said, provided several forms of protection according to the law to domestic violence victims.
Among the initiatives, the ministry said include Talian Kasih 15999, meetings held by a committee on addressing domestic violence cases; advocation and psychosocial programmes; counselling and psychosocial services; supports from the Welfare Department and one-stop social support centres (PSSS).
There are also shelters for victims of domestic abuse cases who required temporary relocation and protection.