Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), through the Women's Development Department (JPW), has initiated the Santun Kasih Pemandiri@Keganasan Rumah Tangga (SARI@KRT) programme, designed to support 1,400 domestic violence survivors across the nation in rebuilding their lives.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, announced that the programme aims to engage at least 100 participants from each state. It will focus on enhancing psychosocial support, legal assistance, and economic empowerment for women affected by domestic violence. The initiative represents the government's ongoing commitment to ensure that victims are neither isolated nor silent but are supported and encouraged to recover from the trauma of violence.
Statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) indicate a rise in domestic violence cases, with 4,014 incidents reported between January and June this year, compared to 3,678 cases in the same period last year. Johor recorded the highest number of cases with 721, followed by Selangor and Perak with 614 and 405 cases, respectively. Misunderstandings and communication problems were identified as the primary causes, accounting for 1,967 cases, with drug abuse and financial stress following at 444 and 378 cases, respectively.
Nancy highlighted the importance of recognizing financial abuse, where the failure to provide financial support by a partner is a form of abuse. She emphasized that both partners must share the commitment of supporting the family. To assist survivors, KPWKM offers a special allowance for attending court proceedings related to child maintenance claims.
Previous initiatives like Aku Wanita@KRT have already reached over 3,600 participants, with 230 survivors benefiting from complimentary group psychological intervention sessions. Nancy encouraged the public to utilize resources like the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline, Social Welfare Department (JKM) offices, and One-Stop Crisis Centres (OSCC) at government hospitals for early intervention and support.
The SARI@KRT programme is a part of the broader Road to EVAW campaign, which is being executed by JPW and KPWKM, leading up to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, followed by the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.