THERE were more than 6,000 cases of men being victims of domestic violence or abuse in the last four years, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said police statistics showed that men were also 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 it rose again to 1,865 cases last year.
“As of July 2025 alone, 1,183 cases of domestic violence involving men were reported,” she said.
She was replying to Dr Ahmad Fakhruddin Fakhrurazi (PN-Kuala Kedah) who wanted to know the evaluation indicators for measuring the effectiveness of modules, such as the Parenting at Work module and family development programmes by National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) in reducing the risk of abuse against men.
Ahmad Fakhruddin also wanted to know statistics of male victims of domestic violence cases from 2022 onwards.
Noraini said that the government, through LPPKN, is implementing an initiative in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan to strengthen family institutions and enhance the nation’s human capital.
The initiative titled Program Lelaki Budiman Negara (National Gentleman Programme), she said, 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 support 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 come forward due to shame or fear.
“All of us must show greater empathy and avoid being judgemental. That is why LPPKN is always improving 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 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. The e-Kasih helpline is 151 599.
“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.
