The Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act 2017
The Domestic Violence Act in Malaysia includes married women or men and children, former spouses, children below the age of 18, incapacitated adults who live as family members or other adults the court may deem fit to be covered by the Act.
This law recognizes women and men who are married by custom, even though their marriage is not registered legally. Unfortunately, it does not protect those who are living together but are not married, or survivors of dating violence.
What can be done in a situation of domestic violence?
Police will conduct an investigation and if required, will detain the abuser for 24 hours.
The Social Welfare Officer will assist in medical aid, police report, provide temporary shelter and apply for an Interim Protection Order (IPO). An IPO granted by the court restricts access of the abuser for 12 months.
This law recognizes women and men who are married by custom, even though their marriage is not registered legally. Unfortunately, it does not protect those who are living together but are not married, or survivors of dating violence.
What can be done in a situation of domestic violence?
- The victim, guardian or relative can lodge a police report, or a complaint at nearest District Social Welfare Department (Jabatan Kebajikan).
- A welfare officer or police officer can lodge a complaint on behalf of a child.
- You can also call an NGO for help if needed. Talian Nur 15999 is available for children to get support.
Police will conduct an investigation and if required, will detain the abuser for 24 hours.
The Social Welfare Officer will assist in medical aid, police report, provide temporary shelter and apply for an Interim Protection Order (IPO). An IPO granted by the court restricts access of the abuser for 12 months.
Stop domestic violence.
Domestic violence or intimate partner violence occurs when a man or a woman regularly hurts their spouse physically or verbally. It includes:
Statistics show 1 in 3 women are hit by their partner, but many do not seek help. Why do you think this is? Gender based violence against any person is totally NOT acceptable and is NOT okay.
- Causing physical injury intentionally.
- Sexual abuse.
- Emotional and psychological abuse.
- Intimidation/harassment/stalking abusive behaviour.
Statistics show 1 in 3 women are hit by their partner, but many do not seek help. Why do you think this is? Gender based violence against any person is totally NOT acceptable and is NOT okay.
Baby Abandonment/Dumping (Penal Code - Act 574)
Baby abandonment or dumping is a crime of killing a child soon after birth or within a year of birth. In Malaysia, there were 91 baby dumping cases reported in 2010, 98 cases in 2011 and 89 cases in 2012. New born babies are dumped at places such as toilets, garbage disposal areas or public areas. Factors contributing towards baby dumping are generally lack of emotional maturity and problem solving skill, polygamy, extramarital relationship, incest, unplanned pregnancies, and peer pressure.
- Penal Code Act 574: Section 318: Whoever by secretly burying or otherwise disposing of the dead body of a child, whether such child dies before or after or during its birth, intentionally conceals or endeavours to conceal the birth of such child shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both. NOT SAME with exposing or leaving such child in any place with the intention of wholly abandoning such child (Section 317).
- Penal Code Act 574: Section 315: Whoever before the birth of any child does any act with the intention of preventing that child from being born alive, or causing it to die after its birth, and if such act is not caused in good faith for saving the life of the mother, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years or with fine or with both.
