Men reporting gender-based violence face challenges
SHAH ALAM - It is a challenge for men when comes to addressing issues of domestic violence.
White Ribbon Campaign chairperson Judith Loh-Koh said this was because they were uncomfortable talking about the matter.
“It’s a challenge to bring men on board as they are uncomfortable in doing so, even women who were abused would choose not to talk on their experiences on this topic.
“We must bring up the issue and it is not an issue of men violating women, but the power they had over women and the campaign we have now on how we are not disempowering men, but empowering both men and women together,” she said on gender-based violence (GBV).
She said men were often part of GBV as a witness through their wives, daughters, friends or girlfriends creating a culture of how they were aware of the issues but simply setting it aside.
“Violence happens in homes, we should not pretend and become a bystander as becoming a bystander puts yourself as individuals who have experienced GBV, which makes you a victim and you should speak up and make Malaysia a better and safer place,” she said.
Meanwhile, All Women's Action Society (Awam) senior admin and operations officer Lochna Menon said society must work together and not only expect the other half of the population to be involved in fighting against GBV.
“Both genders are holding up the society so we can’t expect 50 per cent of the population to suffer in silence and transfer these values, knowledge and form of care towards the next generation,” she said.
She said reports lodged by men against other men or women were a grey area and they would rather keep silent to protect themselves rather than speaking up against it.
“We would often see that some were afraid as it could lead to the possibilities of losing their job, a potential promotion or simply the ability to provide for their family.
“There should be a better policy for whistleblowers to ensure that we can speak more about GBV to prevent the issues from spreading,” she said.
