KUALA LUMPUR: Cases of domestic violence hit a three-year high with over 7,000 cases in 2024, says the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad said the domestic abuse cases reported by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) showed a spike of 7,116 cases last year, despite a decline in cases in 2023, with 5,507 cases compared to 6,540 cases reported in 2022.
She said the ministry had noted the worrying increase of almost 2,000 cases from 2023 to 2024 and would consider potential amendments to the Domestic Violence Act 1994.
“Other related legislation will also continue to be reviewed periodically to ensure that legal control and actions against domestic violence are improved.
“We are also in the process of updating the National Family Policy Action Plan to ensure that these policies align with the current modern family structure.
“Through instilling strong family structure and positive familial values, we hope this will indirectly reduce the occurrence of domestic violence cases,” she said in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Mar 4).
To help victims, Noraini also called on all agencies and layers of society to play their roles and share the responsibility of providing social support to those in need.
She also revealed that there are currently 42 safe places for domestic abuse victims under the ministry, which include protection houses and transit hubs.
Noraini was responding to Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (PH-Port Dickson), who asked if the ministry planned to introduce amendments to the law to enhance protection for domestic violence victims.
