By P. Chandra Sagaran
The state government through Women and Community Development Secretariat with the cooperation of the State Women Development Department organised a program “Stop Violence Against Women” with the participation of several quarters including from the civil service,NGO and local community at Mydin Meru recently. .
It was officiated by the wife of Perak Menteri Besar Datin Seri Aezer Zubin.
Present were State Women, Family Development, Social Welfare, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Chairman Datuk Salbiah Mohamed, Secretariat Director Jamilah Zakaria and Department Director Kavaramma Subramaniam .
Two panelists, prominent crime analyst Kamal Affandi Hashim and DSP Nirmala Arumugam Staff Officer from D11(Sexual, Women and Child Investigation) Division Perak Police Contingent spoke to the crowd on women and child abuse and steps to be taken. Among others police reports and their rights as a woman to protect themselves.
Meanwhile Aezer in her address said:” a total of 842 violence against women were reported last year.
“However in the first four months of this year 425 cases were recorded as the increase is worrying.
“The hike does note there are additional cases but more women are brave enough to lodge reports to seek protection,” she added.
Salbiah who spoke to reporters later said:” financial difficulties and abuse of drugs had been identified as the causes of violence against wives and children.
“Most of the victims are from the B40 group who face economic problems and drug addiction .
“The community should discard the attitude of (don’t poke your nose into other people’s business. “If this attitude continues it will bring about more damage and harm.
“If such problems occur in a family it will affect the children who might be traumatized and bring it to schools and influence their social connections,”she added.
Some of the crowd went home with lucky draw prizes. A colouring contest for children was also held .