Domestic Violence and Covid-19: Strategies for Helping Victims

Domestic Violence in the Wake of Covid-19: Intervention Measures to Ameliorate the Impact

“…Domestic Violence Act 1994 arguably covers only spouses and former spouses, leaving other unmentioned intimate relationships, such as cohabitating partners, outside the application of the Act (Mohammed Na'aim et al, 2019). Section 3 of the DVA 1994 lays down that in ensuring the prosecution of the abusers, the requirements of the DVA 1994 shall be read together with the Penal Code (Randawar & Zin, 2019).…”

“…Because of the MCO limitations, the EPO became an important tool for protecting survivors of violent crimes under the DVA 1994. The EPO was relied upon as a safety net to protect victims during the MCO, given the leniency provided in the statute, which allows for the order to be issued by an officer from social services (Randawar & Zin, 2019). Without having to appear in court or at the police stations, the victims could be sanctioned an EPO by simply reaching out to Talian Kasih (15999) or, alternatively, by visiting their nearest social welfare department.…”

“…As previously stated, the Penal Code has been revised in various parts where the penalty for specific offences has been amended (Randawar & Zin, 2019). Section 326A of the Penal Code and Section 352A of the Penal Code have been amended to a higher term of punishment.…”

Tips of the Iceberg: Domestic Violence during COVID-19, Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia

“…In order to protect domestic violence victims, the Malaysian National Security Council (MKN) provided a helpline, Talian Kasih, together with the WAO helpline, to assist victims (beginning from the first MCO) [14]. Women's Aid Organisation reported that the helpline received 3.4 times as many calls related to domestic violence since the beginning of MCO in May 2019-highlighting the desperate need for more initiatives to support victims.…”