DOMESTIC VIOLENCE- SPEAK OUT AND REPORT THOSE ABUSERS

The following are some practical guidelines for those who are being abused by family members. Abuse at home seems to be widespread in Kuala Lumpur now. Sometimes members are abused by their own husbands,( in some cases wives) parents or relatives. Further, many foreign workers suffer at the hands of Malaysians. Our treatment of foreign workers is a cause of concern and, to put it mildly, a national shame.

When a person is abused by other family members, they tend to get the impression that it is normal in all families. And in the long run, they tend to get abusive themselves. It is not just the alcoholics and gamblers who are abusive of others at home. Even innocent looking women, some of them young, are capable of horrific and sadistic temperaments.

You may not have noticed this, besides the gamblers, alcoholics and the stressed out Malaysian citizen, the people who do some of the worse damage often hide behide a religious appearance.(I personally heard many cases of people who got abused badly in church settings).

My advice is this-There is no point in quarelling with any group-its better that you quietly withdraw from such people than to stay on and get scalded again and again.You have the freedom to move away and find new friendships which are not abusive. Clinging on to relations with groups or individuals which are hurtful and unedifying is very foolish on your part.You have no need to be acquainted with these people- have the courage to move.In due time, you'll be glad you did.Don't dream that they will change- a leopard doesnt change his spots.

The following are some of the frequently asked questions by members of the public.

1.Who is protected against abuse by others?

Children
A person who is sick, handicapped and lives with the family or relatives
Anyone who is abused whether they are in Charity homes or anywhere else in so far as that person is within the jurisdiction of Malaysia.

2.What kind of protection can a person be protected against?

Criminal intimidation
Threats to life including shouting, screaming (animal behaviour)
Damaging property
Sexual abuse
Locking a person in a home – confining & detaining
Threats to harm children or remove them to an unknown place.

3. Where do I turn to for help?

If the person is a housewife, daughter or a lady living with abusive relatives, you can contact,AWAM ( All Women’s Action Society-03-79750224/79570221)

If you need Counselling or Free Legal Advice call the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre- 0326913005/26932072

If a person qualifies, they will get free legal representation in Court but they will have to pay expenses.

You can also call the Department of Social Welfare –1-800-88-3040

If the person is grossly abused and is in a critical condition call the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital One-Stop Crisis Centre (03-26905175)

Police Headquarters, Bukit Aman (03-20520999)- 24 hours

Women’s Aid Organization (03-79563488/79564426)- There may be able to offer a person Counseling and shelter.

Women’s Crisis Centre, Penang (04-2280324)- they maybe able to offer an abused person Counseling, legal advice and shelter.

4. What kind of protection can a person get?

An abused person can get an Interim Protection Order pending Police Investigation.

After the abuser is charged, a person can apply for a Protection Order from the Court.

You can sue the abuser if the person has injured you, damaged your property or caused financial loss to you.

5. What happens if the abuser ignores the Protection Order?

The Court may fine the person RM2,000

The Court may also impose a sentence of 6 months imprisonment.

If the abuser is violent the second time around there can be an automatic fine of up to RM5,000

Sentence of imprisonment can be anywhere from 2-3 yars.


If you are injured go to a Government Hospital if you cannot afford to consult a private Doctor as soon as possible for a medical check-up and then get a medical report which may cost up to RM20. Make a Police Report as soon as possible.

You can do all the above (1) get a medical check up (2) get a medical report and (3) make a police report at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital One-Stop Crisis Centre.


Telephone 1-800-88-3040 Department Of Social Welfare to report abuse cases. You can help those who suffer quietly and who cannot help themselves. Do not use the above information to threaten others without proper basis or cause or you maybe liable for defamation.