IPOH: A total of 3,768 domestic violence cases were reported nationwide as of June this year, says Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
The Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the cases involved 2,751 female victims (73%) and 1,017 male victims (27%).
“Most domestic violence cases are committed by individuals known to the women (victims) such as husbands, ex-husbands or boyfriends. Many incidents also go unreported due to embarrassment or fear of social stigma.
"However, women are not the only victims as men too experience domestic violence, facing both physical and emotional abuse,” she told reporters after officiating the Advokasi Kesejahteraan Untuk Wanita @ Keganasan Rumah Tangga @ Aku Wanita @ KRT Programme on Wednesday (Aug 20).
Noraini also said according to police statistics, Perak is among the top five states with the highest number of domestic violence cases.
From January to June 2025, Selangor recorded 687 cases, followed by Perak (653), Johor (440), Kedah (379) and Sabah (289).
"Victims are aged between 36 and 45 years old," she added.
Noraini said there were also 32 cases involving persons with disabilities (OKU) comprising 20 women and 12 men.
"We believe the increase in reported cases may be due to greater awareness, as more victims are now willing to come forward.
“However, some female victims remain reluctant to lodge reports because they depend financially on their husbands. In some cases, victims who initially wanted to report eventually backed out, fearing for their children or family, " she added.
"That is why we are here to provide counselling and support.
“Come forward, lodge a report and protect yourself. Do not delay until it is too late and end in tragedy,” she said.
On the programme, Noraini said that it was created as a strategic platform to engage with the community through high-impact activities, ensuring transparency in addressing domestic violence issues within neighbourhoods.
"Through this initiative, issues related to domestic violence are discussed in depth with experts in the field as well as survivors who have managed to rebuild their lives after experiencing abuse.
"In addition, a psychological intervention session called ‘K-Chat’ has also been introduced. It is a group-based intervention that brings together survivors, counsellors, and trained facilitators to help participants better understand and cope with the challenges they face as a result of domestic violence," she added.
