A victim of domestic violence? Here's how you can get help

SHAH ALAM – The Covid-19 pandemic back in 2020 has left some sort of long-lasting impact on the people, among them is domestic violence in the home.

Among reasons cited for the amplified abuse in households are stress of being cooped up at home, unemployment and economic pressure.

According to Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), domestic violence was a pattern of violence, abuse, or intimidation used to control or maintain power over a partner who is or has been in an intimate relationship.

Fundamentally, the organisation said that domestic violence was about power and control, which often happened in cycles.

"The cycle of abuse happens when the abuser threatens violence, abuses the partner, apologises and promises to change before starting the cycle again.

"As the cycle shows, abusers may not be actively violent all the time; the mix of both violent and "honeymoon" phases is what makes abuse confusing — and hard to break away from.

"It is a tactic for abusers to maintain power and control. It is crucial that you recognise the signs of domestic violence and break the cycle.

"There are various forms of domestic violence, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, social, and financial abuse. Abusers often use more than one form of abuse to invoke fear or coerce a partner into behaving in ways they don't want to," the website read.

The WAO pointed out that if you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, here are what you can do:

Option 1: Contact WAO

• WAO Hotline: +603 3000 8858 (9am – 5pm)

• SMS/WhatsApp TINA: +6018 988 8058 (24 hours)

Option 2: Go to the 'One Stop Crisis Centre' at government hospitals

• OSCC are located at emergency rooms of government hospitals. Doctors will provide medical treatment for any injury and collect medical evidence, which can be used in court.

• You can lodge a police report at the hospital and the OSCC can also help you access police protection, shelter, legal advice, and counselling via the medical social worker or social welfare officer. Note that it is not mandatory to make a police report for domestic violence in order to get medical treatment.

Option 3: Obtain an 'Emergency Protection Order' (EPO) from Social Welfare Department

• An EPO is an order issued by the social welfare officer instructing the perpetrator to stop committing acts of violence towards you.

• An EPO can be obtained at any time by calling Talian Nur (15999) which is available 24 hours a day, or by visiting the nearest social welfare office.

• Bring your identification card (IC) and child's birth certificate (if applicable) to the social welfare office. You do not need to make a police report to get an EPO. It will be valid for 7 days.

• An EPO can be applied before obtaining an Interim Protection Order (IPO) or Protection Order (PO).

Option 4: Make a police report and apply for an Interim Protection Order (IPO) at the police station

• Making a police report

• You can report any act or threat of violence, either by typing it yourself at the police station or by orally dictating it to the police officer. You can also draft your report in advance.
• In your police report, write down the details of the abuse, such as what happened, when it happened (date and estimated time), where it happened, and who was involved. Remember to get a copy of the police report.
• If you don't want to press charges but would like to document the incident, you can make a 'cover report' instead of an 'action report'.

• Applying for an IPO

• You can ask the police to start the application for an IPO. IPOs are court documents which prohibit perpetrators from committing abuse and are valid throughout the police investigation. Spouses, former spouses or family members of perpetrators can apply for the IPO. (However, the IPO does not cover non-married couples.)
• In your police report, state that you want an IPO. The IPO can also cover other family members, such as your children.
• Get a referral letter from the police, which states that the police are investigating the case.
• Go to the nearest welfare office with the police report, referral letter, and your IC. Inform the welfare officer that you want an IPO.
• The welfare officer will accompany you to the court to apply for an IPO.
• The IPO is valid during the police investigation. Once the police investigation ends, and the case is charged in court, you will need to apply for a Protection Order (PO).