Rohani acknowledged the problem of men being abused saying that despite their being physically stronger than women, it did not mean they were spared from violence in a relationship. — Picture by Zuraneeza Zulkifli

PETALING JAYA, Oct 16 — Realising the number of male victims of domestic violence was startling and definitely deserving attention, the federal government has taken proactive steps to deal with the problem.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim told The Malay Mail yesterday that among the measures taken was the introduction of the Talian NUR 15999 in 2007, which allowed victims to lodge reports or enquire about details of domestic violence.

“We also provide counselling service through the Welfare Department and Female Development Department to victims to strengthen their emotional support,” she said.

“On top of that, we have identified 41 areas across the nation known as ‘safety spots’ to provide shelter to victims.”

The “safety spots’” were run by the government and non-governmental organisations.

Rohani acknowledged the problem of men being abused saying that despite their being physically stronger than women, it did not mean they were spared from violence in a relationship.

One reason for such behaviour was that certain wives felt proud of holding higher positions in their careers, or possessed better educational qualifications, than their husbands.

Other reasons included husbands with softer personalities, or wives who may have suffered from domestic violence in the past.

“According to police statistics, of the 18,703 cases reported involving 19,335 victims, 323 of them were cases of wives attacking their husbands,” she said.

“The number of battered husbands might be higher because there are cases where men who feet emasculated are reluctant to lodge police reports,” she said.

“They want to preserve their dignity as the head of the household and prevent their children from becoming victims of divorce.”

There were also victims who would prefer to resolve the matter “internally” without getting a third party involved.

Rohani urged men who had been abused by their families or wives to come forward and share their problems.

“By seeking consultation and acknowledging their problems, the victims could learn how to survive through close communications and strong emotional support,” she said.

“Currently, there are several male victims seeking consultation from the welfare department, with most of them aged between 30 and 40.”

She said the Domestic Violence Act 1994 could also protect husbands and children.

The government had also introduced a One-Stop Crisis Centres in 129 government hospitals across the nation to provide various services to victims,” she said.

“We are also working with agencies to jointly conduct seminars and workshops to help the public enhance relationships among family members.”

The government amended the Domestic Violence Act 1994 last year to help deter such cases.

The amendments, among others, provide victims more protection from any form of physical, mental and emotional abuses.

Apart from that, they cover such areas as psychological, social, sexual and financial abuses.

“A suspect must at least keep a distance of 50m from the victim or any reasonable distance ruled by the court,” one of the amendments reads.

Under the amendments, the government has also simplified the application of Interim Protection Order or Protection Order.

The application could be applied by an ex-parte party at any court and it could be issued by any court officers instead of the court registrar.