Does Domestic Violence in Malaysia is Increasing During The Pandemic? Factors and Policy-Related

Shadiya Mohamed S Baqutayan,Mohammad Ariff Abu Hassan,Siti Runiza Mohd Zaini,Saiyidah Mohd Salleh,Asrida Binti Asim @ Hashim

doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i8/10747

Shadiya Mohamed S Baqutayan, Mohammad Ariff Abu Hassan + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i8/10747

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Abstract

During Covid-19, Malaysia has announced the Movement Control Order (MCO) in which was started on March 18, 2020, to curb the spread of coronavirus amongst Malaysian. This tested people's emotions, feelings, and the way they act. It also has tested their patient, resilience, and their ability to be kind and caring. Thus the study focus on the factors contributing to domestic violence in Malaysia. The objective of this paper is to examine the level of awareness on domestic violence during the MCO and suggest ways to prevent or reduce domestic violence in Malaysia via Government policies and interventions as well as enforcement measures related to acts and laws. The study used a hybrid method of a random online survey as well as Malaysia's policy review to gauge factors that lead to Domestic Violence in Malaysia during the Covid -19 pandemic. The results indicated that Stability in economic status, educational level, and upbringing in an urban area enable to curb domestic violence from occurring despite facing challenging situations dealing with pandemic Covid -19. As domestic violence deemed to be taboo to be discussed in Malaysian community due to its culture, the study concludes that citizen in big cities is well aware on the avenue and laws that designed by the relevant authority to protect people. Citizens are also aware that the pandemic triggered more incidents to happened and they have the knowledge on support systems available in the country. This is essential so that appropriate recommendations on the next course of action be proposed to the stakeholders on how to achieve zero domestic violence in Malaysia

Highlights

The issue of domestic violence is not something new in Malaysia
The questionnaire consists of three parts, the first part was on demographic information, the second part is on the factor associated with domestic violence, and the third part was an open-ended question asking the respondents on their view on domestic violence in Malaysia
As domestic violence is deemed taboo in Malaysian culture, in terms of Malaysia's policy perspective, the available facilitation from the Ministry of Women is needed to enable the dissemination of information to the public

Summary

Introduction

The issue of domestic violence is not something new in Malaysia. According to the Women's Centre for Change (WCC), the rise of domestic violence during the pandemic was due to economic, social, and psychological pressure on individuals, families as well as communities. As part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), under Goal 1.a.2: No Poverty on “Proportion of total government spending on essential services (education, health, and social protection)" and Goal 5.2: Gender Equality, the United Nations (UN) has targeted to “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation”. The Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development is in charge of managing the issues of domestic violence in Malaysia. There is a nongovernment organization (NGO) that support women’s right such as Women Centre for Change (WCC), All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Pertubuhan Kesedaran Wanita Kedah (PKWK), Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) and the Sabah Women Action Resource Group (SAWO) (Abdul Ghani, 2014)

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