MELAKA: Counselling sessions and advisory services provided by the National Population and Family Development Board and the Social Welfare Department continue to play an important role in assisting women, especially mothers, who are facing domestic violence and abuse.
Melaka Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Noordin said more women are now coming forward to seek help and support through the platforms provided by the agencies to resolve domestic conflicts in a safer and more structured manner.
She said the counselling sessions not only provide emotional support to victims, but also offer guidance on legal rights, protection and actions that can be taken in cases involving domestic abuse or mistreatment.
"So far, only eight cases involving domestic violence and abuse were reported last year, while this year, no serious or alarming cases have been recorded.
"Such cases remain under control here because we provide assistance to many women and couples facing family problems, including those involving domestic violence, through counselling sessions and early intervention programmes conducted by LPPKN and JKM," she told reporters after opening the state-level Mother's Day celebration at the Bukit Beruang Community Hall on Sunday (May 24).
Kalsom said the state government remains committed to ensuring mothers understand they are not alone and that there are various safe, trusted channels available to them to seek help.
Elaborating further, she said one of the major challenges faced by the authorities is that some women are still afraid or ashamed to lodge reports despite being victims of physical, emotional or domestic abuse.
"Sometimes when reports are made, it actually reflects that society has become more courageous in seeking help and no longer keeping such problems to themselves.
"This also shows that the various advocacy, information and awareness programmes implemented by the development board, the department and other agencies are having a positive impact," she said.
Meanwhile, Kalsom also encouraged mothers to become more digitally literate and better informed about technological developments so they can access information more quickly, particularly regarding women's rights, welfare assistance and official complaint channels provided by the government.
This also shows that the various advocacy, information and awareness programmes implemented by the development board, the department and other agencies are having a positive impact," she said. – Bernama
