KUALA LUMPUR: There is currently no specific system under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to track and record repeat offenders in domestic violence cases, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development said the issue was among key concerns raised during discussions with various agencies, including with police, Health Ministry and judicial authorities, on the handling of such cases.
She said the absence of such records also posed a challenge in the ministry’s efforts to assist women.
“We also raised the same question. There is no record to identify repeat offenders or repeat victims. There may be reports, but the information cannot be disclosed,” she said at a press conference at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday (April 29).
Nancy said the ministry would propose for a mechanism to be established to record repeat offenders, in a move to better protect victims, particularly women.
“This is something we will request to be considered as part of a record system to assist women,” she said, adding that the matter falls outside the ministry’s jurisdiction but would be proposed to the relevant authorities.
Commenting on the inter-agency discussion, she said the main focus was on improving standard operating procedures (SOPs) and identifying weaknesses in the handling of domestic violence cases.
“We are not discussing any specific case, but looking at how we can improve the current situation, including weaknesses in procedures and laws that may affect action taken in such cases,” she said.
