KUALA LUMPUR: The number of cases involving violence against men has reached alarming levels, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, adding that over 1,000 cases of sexual harassment involving men were recorded recently.
She said that while many men still do not come forward to report such incidents, the cases of violence against men have significantly increased in recent years.
The minister revealed that over 1,000 cases of sexual harassment involving men were recorded following the ministry's recent anti-sexual violence advocacy programme.
The Member of Parliament for Santubong also revealed that most cases of sexual violence among men involve individuals of the same gender.
"The ministry previously recorded not more than 20 cases, but the number then increased to over 1,000 following the advocacy programme," she told reporters when met after attending the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women celebration in Parliament today.
Present at the event was Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Nancy lamented that many men are reluctant to report incidents of violence to the police.
"Instead, they tend to seek assistance at the social support center (PSS) counter. This increase is concerning and highlights that men, too, are at risk of violence.
"We encourage them to come forward and file a report," she said.
Meanwhile, on the event, Nancy said it was to address the surge in cases of violence, particularly those involving young girls and to raise educational awareness in the society.
"We do not know whether the existing statistics reflect the true number of violence cases in the country, as many are reluctant to report them to the authorities," she said.
"Many are still worried that they or their children will lose their support system if they report cases of violence to the authorities.
Nancy said the government would continue to organise awareness programme so that the public understands there are various forms of violence, including physical, sexual, economic and psychological.
"This will also serve as a platform to raise awareness, especially among victims, so they know they are not alone. We are here to help," she said.