KUALA LUMPUR: Over 1,000 cases of men being victims of domestic violence or abuse have been recorded in the past four years, the Dewan Rakyat heard.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said police statistics show that men can also be victims of domestic violence.
“In 2022, a total of 1,778 male victims in abuse cases were recorded. The number dropped to 1,213 cases in 2023, but rose again to 1,865 cases in 2024.
“As of July 2025 alone, 1,183 cases of domestic violence involving men have already been reported,” she said during the question and answer session here Thursday (Oct 30).
She was replying to a question from Dr Ahmad Fakhruddin Fakhrurazi (PN-Kuala Kedah) who asked about the evaluation indicators used to measure the effectiveness of modules like the Parenting at Work module and family development programmes by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) in reducing the risk of abuse against men.
He also wanted to know the detailed statistics of male victims in domestic violence cases from 2022 to date.
Noraini added that the government, through LPPKN, is actively implementing a strategic initiative in line with the focus of the 13th Malaysia Plan to strengthen family institutions and enhance the nation’s human capital.
She said the initiative titled “Program Lelaki Budiman Negara” (National Gentleman Programme) involved the development and implementation of an educational module aimed at empowering men to become responsible husbands, fathers, and members of society.
This move directly supports LPPKN’s mandate to strengthen the role of men in the family and community.
Noraini also said there are still male victims who still refuse to step forward due to shame, fear, and concern of being judged.
“As a society, we must show greater empathy and avoid being judgemental. That is why LPPKN continues to strengthen its outreach programmes, including counselling services where victims can choose whether to speak with a male or female counsellor.
“For men, it is often better to engage with a male counsellor, allowing them to interact more comfortably and share their problems openly,” she said.
Noraini also emphasised that awareness campaigns on domestic violence by the ministry are also inclusive in nature, seeing that it affects both men and women.
“We should not wait for them to come to us, we must reach out to them. We also have the e-Kasih helpline at 15999.
“What matters most is ensuring that whoever they are, the ministry will make sure they are safe. I wish to stress that domestic violence is not solely a women’s issue. It is a humanitarian issue.
“A man’s tears may rarely be seen, but the wounds in his heart can sometimes be very deep. Indeed, suffering knows no gender,” she said.
