KUCHING: There is a need to strengthen the ecosystem involving all related ministries to protect victims of domestic violence.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that collaboration with the education sector and curriculum aspects is crucial in preventing such incidents.
“The education sector and curriculum aspect must be strengthened, while the ministries overseeing kindergartens need to enhance their monitoring, and school authorities must also conduct vigilant monitoring,” she said during Hari Raya gathering at her residence on Sunday (May 5).
Nancy also emphasised the role of the housing ministry in ensuring that homes are adequately equipped to prevent domestic violence.
“The ministry responsible for housing should ensure that homes have adequate rooms to prevent unwanted incidents from occurring,” she said.
Nancy was responding to a recent case of a 20-year-old woman who claimed to have been raped by her own father since she was 12 until she gave birth in Kampung Chuah, Port Dickson. She described the incident as “sickening” and “unlawful.”
She also called for greater efforts to curb domestic violence and incest.
“The health sectors have to come up with ideas on how to navigate situations such as these to help teenagers and children.
“We often hear of sex education, which is very important, and must be stressed so that children understand and know what to do,” she added.
Nancy reiterated that incidents like this should not happen, and that the Ministry’s child-protection team would collaborate with the police to investigate.
“Our concern is the daughter, even though she is home alone, she needs to be taken care of. At the moment, we, as a child-protection team, will liaise with the police authorities to look into the case,” she added.
In case of recurring incidents, the public can reach out to the Ministry’s hotline, ‘Talian Kasih,’ at 15999.
