Penang records 15 cases of domestic abuse since MCO

CORONAVIRUS | Police have recorded 13 reports on domestic violence, which was lodged in the first phase of the movement control order (MCO), between March 18 and 31.

Penang executive councillor Chong Eng said the numbers increased by two between April 1 and 12.

She said this after meeting with the State Police Chief Sahabudin Abdul Manan and his deputy Zainol Samah over the matter on Tuesday.

"The police has assured the state that more officers would be deployed to handle the complaints from families about spouse or child abuses," Chong Eng said in a statement.

"Those who have such complaints can lodge reports by calling the 24-hour emergency hotline at 04-2691 999," she added.

Her remarks come after the police launched a campaign to raise awareness on parental and child abuse, especially during the MCO. 

The phenomena is a worldwide concern as UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has urged governments to focus on the problem of domestic abuse amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which has forced people to self-isolate in their homes.

At home on Tuesday, the Women's Aid Organisation said a lack of shelters during the MCO forced some domestic violence survivors to resort to sleeping in their cars.

The NGO urged the government to help provide victims with a safe haven, either in hotels or hostels, or by collaborating with the private sector.

Penang-based Women's Crisis Centre (WCC) said it is extending its MCO services until April 28, the end of phase 3 of the nationwide partial shutdown.

WCC provides critical counselling for women and children in crisis, especially domestic and sexual violence cases.

Chong Eng said Penang will look into enhancing its allocation to address such incidents.

"It is important that people, especially women and children, protect themselves during the MCO, while facing the multitude of challenges in dealing with the pandemic," said the DAP Padang Lalang assemblyperson.

Chong Eng, who oversees the women and family development portfolio, cautioned against the worrying increase in domestic abuse complaints, which helplines and call centres have received from the public. - Mkini