Domestic violence cases climb despite decline in full-year figures in 2025
SEBERANG JAYA: Malaysia recorded 5,278 domestic violence cases nationwide in the first eight months of this year, up 4.7% from 5,041 in the same period last year, with Penang accounting for 228 cases.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the figures underscored the need for sustained efforts to prevent violence against women, protect survivors and strengthen community support.
READ MORE: 5,278 domestic violence cases reported nationwide as of August 2026
READ MORE: 3,768 domestic violence cases recorded nationwide in first half of 2025
“Domestic violence is not a private matter. It cannot be ignored. It is an issue of safety, human rights and community wellbeing that requires collective action,” she said at the state-level Eliminate Violence Against Women (Evaw) programme at The Light Hotel yesterday, held in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The increase in cases comes after a decline in 2025, when full-year figures released by the Statistics Department on Oct 16 showed domestic violence cases fell 8.3% to 6,522, from 7,116 in 2024.
Nancy said domestic violence extended beyond physical abuse to include economic abuse, financial control, social isolation, threats and exploitation in cyberspace.
Citing World Health Organisation statistics, she said one in three women worldwide had experienced physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime.
She warned that technology was also being misused to threaten, spy on or shame partners, causing repeated distress and affecting victims’ family relationships, education, employment and reputation.
Domestic violence could leave survivors grappling with trauma, anxiety, depression, social isolation and a loss of confidence, while undermining their ability to work, she said.
Some victims were forced to leave their homes, lose their income or depend on others for protection.
Children exposed to domestic violence could also suffer emotional distress, struggle to concentrate and lose their sense of safety.
To strengthen prevention and support, Nancy said the government had introduced initiatives including Aku Wanita@KRT, SARI@KRT and Road to Evaw to raise awareness, assist survivors and encourage communities to play a more active role in tackling violence.
“Road to Evaw is not a temporary or oneoff campaign. “It is a collective movement involving society,” she said, urging participants to share what they had learnt with their families, neighbours and communities.
As of Sept 26, Aku Wanita@KRT had reached 4,899 participants, while 322 people had received support through K-Chat sessions.
Other initiatives include Matahari, which focuses on women’s resilience and psychology; Iris, which promotes legal literacy and awareness of women’s rights; Skuad Waja, which provides community support; and Prismanita, which offers information, initial screening, advice, psychosocial support and referrals.
Nancy said women in Penang could seek assistance through the Penang State Women’s Development Office, which coordinates referrals and matches services to their needs.
“We will help act as an intermediary and coordinate access to assistance through interagency coordination and the matching of services to clients’ needs,” she said.
Victims of domestic violence, or those who suspect abuse is taking place, can seek help at a nearby police station or hospital, or obtain psychosocial support through a Pusat Sokongan Sosial Setempat.
Talian Kasih 15999 operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Assistance is also available via WhatsApp at 019-261 5999.
Complaints relating to sexual harassment can be submitted to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal through the e-Tags system, which allows claims to be made quickly, easily and at minimal cost.