Domestic violence still rears its ugly head in the state
KUCHING: It has only been less than two weeks into the new year, but there are already 10 reported cases of domestic violence in the state.
Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Datuk Fatimah Abdullah raised the alarm on the disturbing statistics obtained from the police, pointing out the timely improvisation of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to manage cases of violence against women and children.
“With the SOP presented in a flow chart format, we hope the work process on the handling of such cases will be made clearer and understood by the public.
“We hope the SOP will ensure that the administration of the cases will be effective, efficient and fast so that the welfare and wellbeing of the victims are adequately addressed.
“A lot of effort is involved in ensuring that the welfare of the victims is always top priority,” she told a press conference, after chairing a meeting with agencies involved in improvising the SOP, yesterday.
Previously, there were two lab sessions on the SOP conducted in October and December last year, which were attended by representatives from various departments and agencies.
Fatimah believed the SOP would increase public confidence in the system, particularly the victims, so that they would be encouraged to come forward to report cases.
“We want to see a reduction in the disturbing statistics. These are only the reported cases. There are surely a lot that went unreported due to lack of awareness.
“The ministry, Women and Family Department and other departments, agencies and nongovernmental organisations ( NGOs) need to work hand-inhand to carry out advocacy programmes and roadshows to disseminate information on violence against women and children and on the SOP to handle cases.
“We want to educate and help the women, as well as men. Men who are the perpetrators need help because they may be violent due to their past experiences,” she said, adding that there were still some details that needed fine-tuning.
Earlier, Fatimah presented certificates of participation to those who have taken part in the lab sessions.
Assistant Minister for Early Education Childhood and Family Development Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, director of Women and Family Department Noriah Ahmad and state CID chief Dato Dev Kumar were also present.
In brief, the SOP for managing violence against women starts with the victim making a report, which will then be handled by the police and hospital or clinic, where there is a One Stop Crisis Centre ( OSCC). OSCC will then decide whether to ward or discharge the victim and an Interim Protection Order will be applied. The victim will be placed under protection while awaiting legal action against the perpetrator.
For violence against children, it begins with a report, which can be lodged by anyone who knows about the violence, including neighbours.
Similarly, it goes through the police, hospital and OSCC before placing the victim under temporary custody. After that, it will be decided whether the victim goes to a welfare institution or placed under permanent custody with an eligible family member or guardian.
According to police statistics, there were 283 cases of domestic violence in 2012, 238 in 2013, 358 in 2014, 279 in 2015 and 349 last year (up to October).
With the SOP presented in a flow chart format, we hope the work process on the handling of such cases will be made clearer and understood by the public. Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing