Strong support systems key to helping women escape abusive marriages

SHAH ALAM - When a strong, caring support network surrounds a woman, it empowers her with the strength and security she needs to break free from an abusive marriage and rebuild her life.

Women’s rights group Sisters in Islam Malaysia (SIS) said women must have the right to seek protection and live in safety and dignity, which can only be achieved through a strong support system.

Beyond legal measures, it said support from family, friends and the community is crucial.

It said many women under abuse faced among the biggest challenges of having to "initiate everything" in order to stop the abuse.

"She has to go to the police, lodge a report, seek medical attention and obtain documentation to prove the abuse.

"The process could be overwhelming and traumatic, especially for someone already dealing with the emotional and physical toll of abuse.

"To make matters worse, there are still instances where the police refuse to accept domestic violence cases, dismissing them as mere domestic issues," the group.

It said this kind of attitude was not only "dismissive" but dangerous as it allowed abuse to continue unchecked.

It urged law enforcement to receive training on recognising that domestic violence has always been a serious crime, not just a private issue to be swept under the rug.

The Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) echoed the similar sentiments emphasising support for abused women through support services and community education.

The group said that it was important to increase accessibility to support services such as shelters, counselling and legal aid which could empower women to seek help and escape abusive situations better.

Addressing the importance of community education, WAO said that it was important that the outcome should change the societal norms and attitudes that often stigmatise survivors instead of supporting them.

"By raising awareness about the signs of abuse and the resources available, communities can better support affected individuals," the group said.

It also emphasised the importance of legal protections through stricter enforcement of laws against domestic violence, such as ensuring that abusive behaviours were promptly and effectively addressed by the legal system.

This, it said included not only punishing offenders but also providing protective orders to keep survivors safe.

It also urged for training for law enforcement and judiciary personnel on handling domestic violence cases with sensitivity and urgency which could prevent the "re-traumatisation" of survivors and ensure that their cases were taken seriously.

"Together, these measures can create a more supportive environment for women and deter the perpetuation of abuse.

"Improving the situation of wives affected by abusive husbands requires a multipronged approach, strengthening both support systems and legal protections," it said.

Recently, a video surfaced on the X platform of a woman who claimed that she did not receive alimony from her former husband following a divorce.

She lamented her exhaustion having to go through the process of gettng the alimony.

In the video, she said she heard from many women that they had not received any alimony from their ex-husbands for their children.

In the video, she said she heard from many women and children that they did not receive any alimony from the ex-husband.

She added that the justice system provided little to no help at all.