Rape,incest and domestic violence has increased says minister
Pic courtesy of www.pamdemocrat.org
Statistics compiled have shown that despite measures by the government, violence against Malaysian women has increased worryingly said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
The various categories taken into consideration in the statistics were rape, incest, molest and domestic violence.
2000 2006
1217 2341 Rape
3.3…..6.6 Rape ( Daily average)
213…332 Incest
NA… 3264 Domestic Violence
NA… ..NA Molest
Source : “Curbing Violence Against Women through Cedaw” forum
These statistics probably don’t give the true picture as often cases go unreported. ‘What goes on behind closed doors should remain closed doors’ is a common thread of thought among the women of Malaysia. Malaysians including police personnel rightly or wrongly it is debatable often perceive domestic violence as a personal problem. What is there to gain from making a report?
These victims live in fear. First there is the unavoidable finger pointing. She must have been responsible to a certain degree people may say. Look at her way of dressing. She always smiles etc. etc. There is then the issue of victims being interviewed by untrained personnel who do not know how to handle reports from sexual crime victims leading the victims to feel the trauma repeated all over again.
The lady’s prospects of marriage go down the drain and if the case is sexually tainted she will carry the stigma of it all her life.
Many cases then go unreported. Most cases are only reported when there is visible evidence e.g. pregnancy or it is found out or the matter is exposed. Often as in domestic violence, the power is in the male’s hands.
How do you make a report against the person who is feeding you and your family? Who will put food on the table? How can I move out of this neighbourhood when I have no money knowing to stay in the same place is impossible after exposure of the incident.
Many women in Malaysia are unaware of their rights. However awareness or no awareness, the women in this country especially for the domestic violence and incest cases, their fear is very real. They are living in the same house as the perpetrators and see them every day. They are dependent on them.
