GEORGE TOWN: Domestic violence remained the largest category of cases handled by the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC).
WCC handled 629 cases through its two Penang centres in 2025, up from 588 in 2024. Of these, 165 were domestic violence cases, child sexual abuse (104) and adult sexual assault (36).
In 2024, the figures were 155 domestic violence, child sexual abuse (98) and adult sexual assault (26).
WCC executive director Loh Cheng Kooi said the 7% increase could reflect greater awareness among victims that help was available.
“After years of public awareness efforts by many groups, including the government, society may now recognise that these are not simply ‘domestic’ matters but crimes that cannot be tolerated,” she said.
Under the One-Stop Crisis Centre system, Hospital Penang and Hospital Balik Pulau recorded 97 cases last year, comprising 36 domestic violence and 61 sexual assault cases.
On the mainland, Hospital Seberang Jaya, Hospital Bukit Mertajam, Hospital Kepala Batas and Hospital Sungai Bakap recorded a combined 196 cases, comprising 116 domestic violence and 80 sexual assault cases.
Loh said studies showed many marital and relationship problems stemmed from financial and emotional stress.
She said about 80% of the 104 child sexual abuse cases involved “consensual” underage sexual activity.
WCC and its Pusat Perkhidmatan Wanita (PPW) recorded more people seeking in-person counselling.
“For face-to-face counselling, we recorded 629 new clients, 70 former clients and 405 follow-up sessions.
“Of the new clients, 305 involved domestic and sexual violence, 264 involved marital and relationship issues and 60 involved other concerns,” she said.
Loh added that follow-up counselling sessions fell 24% as the organisation focused on new clients and short-term intervention.
For phone support services, WCC recorded 964 new calls and 578 follow-up calls in 2025.
“Of the new calls, 410 involved domestic and sexual violence, 217 were related to marital and relationship issues and 337 involved other matters.
“The number of new calls rose from 905 in 2024, of which 434 involved domestic and sexual violence,” she said.
Loh said domestic violence and sexual abuse remained WCC’s main concern as it worked to end violence against women and children.
“Men should never think they have the right to hit women.
“Abuse is not just physical; it reflects deeper issues in mindset and attitudes.
“Women need to watch for red flags in relationships and not rush into marriage.
“We need to change society’s mindset and stop using excuses such as alcohol, bad temper or stress to justify abuse, and stop blaming women for it,” she said.
For help, call 011-3108 4001 for WCC or 016-439 0698 for PPW, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Visit www.wccpenang.org to check their services and activities.
