While 28 per cent of domestic violence victims are men, the number of women abused remains higher,
PETALING JAYA, Oct 16 — Who knew women are becoming increasingly aggressive? Who knew that men are steadily adding to government statistics of victims of domestic violence?
Consider: The police received 650 cases of men being abused by wives and family members in 2010. The figure jumped to 815 in 2011 and 930 last year.
Social analysts said this worrying trend showed that a growing number of Malaysian men were becoming victims of domestic abuse by their partners or families.
However, while 28 per cent of domestic violence victims are men, the number of women abused remains higher, at 72 per cent.
Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement women’s affairs vice-president Fadlina Siddiq said those abused were usually professionals — primarily doctors, engineers, accountants, teachers and PhD holders.
She said women were becoming dominant as they were breadwinners in some families, usurping the traditional role of men.
“Some were hit with golf clubs, mops, brooms or even slapped by their spouses.
“Some suffer mental abuse when the wife refuses to talk for weeks or months. Some wives even deny their husbands sex for a prolonged period of time,” she said.
“Many women today are decision-makers in families. This goes against the traditional and religious role as man has always been seen as the protector of the family.
“If a father fails to play his traditional role this will also confuse children,” she said.
“We have counselled several children and they told us they have seen their mother abusing their father. This has to stop because it confuses the children.
Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah said abuse, be it on men or women, is not right and pro-active steps must be taken to protect the victims.
“Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse that involves both physical and mental,” said Josiah.
Josiah said if the number of abused men was increasing, the ministry should set up a helpline to assist them.
Malaysian Psychiatric Association secretary Dr Hazli Zakaria said: “We should first rule out any psychiatric disorder in either the victim or the perpetrator and offer them treatment as required,” he said.
Written by pipspiper
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