FOUR hundred and thirteen cases of domestic violence were reported in the state as of September this year, said Welfare, Community Well-Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Quoting statistics from the state Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), she said, “184 cases (45 percent) were due to drug and substance abuse.”
She added in her winding-up speech yesterday that 535 domestic violence cases were reported in 2017 while 486 cases were reported in 2018.
“To provide support and protection to victims of domestic violence, the Sarawak Social Welfare Department now has five temporary protection centres,” she said.
The centres are located at Rumah Seri Kenangan, Pusat Pemulihan Samarahan, Rumah Kanak-Kanak Datuk Ajibah Abol in Sri Aman, Rumah Seri Kenangan in Sibu and Tunas Bakti Girl School in Miri.
On the homeless issue in the state, Fatimah said 83 operations had been conducted and 195 homeless had been rescued since 2016.
“Homelessness is a social issue that needs to be tackled holistically and the ministry will continue to work with strategic partners to address it,” she added.
Among the reasons for being homeless, she explained, were unemployment, poverty, low income, drug and substance abuse, mental issues, old age, neglect, no homes, ex convicts, family problems, running way from home or not being accepted by family members.
