MM Online:
Doraemon Ministry has one more chance to redeem itself ― Firzana Redzuan and Ezreen Rahman
* Firzana Redzuan and Ezreen Rahman are members of a youth advocacy NGO called Monsters Among Us: Youth Advocates (MAU) that combats child sexual abuse in Malaysia.
APRIL 11 ― After attracting unnecessary global attention, thanks to the infamous Doraemon tips, we thought that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development would call it quits.
But lo and behold, the guardian of women and champion of children in Malaysia has downplayed the abuse and violence that happening in our country during this pandemic.
On April 4, the ministry invested its precious time publishing an official statement trivialising domestic violence. There were two salient points in the statement.
First, the ministry iterated that the 57 per cent increase in calls made to Talian Kasih was made up of varied calls for assistance such as the Covid-19 inquiries and counselling cases.
Second, the ministry assures us it is indeed taking seriously all the calls made regarding domestic violence and child abuse.
But sadly, that’s about it.
Even though the ministry did not deny that women and children are being abused within closed doors during the movement control order (MCO), there was no assurance given that help will be given and made accessible.
Instead, society is now at fault for misinterpreting the data regarding Talian Kasih.
Therefore, the legislative body has taken a much needed step by enacting section 16 under this Act. This section criminalises predators who are in a relationship of trust with a child.
A person carries a duty of trust based on his position in the child’s life, be it a father, a teacher or even a public servant entrusted to protect children.
The law acknowledges the acute trauma that may impact a child who is abused by someone he or she trusts. Hence, this provision protects our children by deterring incestutous offences within a family unit.
If a person who is in a relationship of trust with a child is found guilty under this Act, he or she may be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and fine under any other section of the act.
* Firzana Redzuan and Ezreen Rahman are members of a youth advocacy NGO called Monsters Among Us: Youth Advocates (MAU) that combats child sexual abuse in Malaysia.
APRIL 11 ― After attracting unnecessary global attention, thanks to the infamous Doraemon tips, we thought that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development would call it quits.
But lo and behold, the guardian of women and champion of children in Malaysia has downplayed the abuse and violence that happening in our country during this pandemic.
On April 4, the ministry invested its precious time publishing an official statement trivialising domestic violence. There were two salient points in the statement.
First, the ministry iterated that the 57 per cent increase in calls made to Talian Kasih was made up of varied calls for assistance such as the Covid-19 inquiries and counselling cases.
Second, the ministry assures us it is indeed taking seriously all the calls made regarding domestic violence and child abuse.
But sadly, that’s about it.
Even though the ministry did not deny that women and children are being abused within closed doors during the movement control order (MCO), there was no assurance given that help will be given and made accessible.
Instead, society is now at fault for misinterpreting the data regarding Talian Kasih.
This is a shame since it is the duty of the ministry to provide a clear breakdown of the calls for us to understand the gravity of the situation that is happening right now.
We need to know if there are calls from children, beaten wives or even fathers who cannot afford to bring food to the table so that we can help these families.
It is perplexing for the ministry to invest time on a statement that paints a message of refusal to admit the occurrence of domestic violence.
The ministry should highlight that domestic violence is happening right now and they are there to help.
NGOs in Malaysia are receiving calls and emails on domestic abuse, yet the ministry is not ready to acknowledge this pressing calamity. This blatant denial shows how the ministry is downplaying abuse happening in homes.
MCO is a challenging period. Stress level is increasing, families are struggling to make ends meet and some are facing more abuse at home than ever.
Children are the most vulnerable groups during times of quarantine because they have no escape. Schools are closed, teachers and friends are far away and some may not have the privilege of a phone with good internet connection.
How do we ensure that our children are indeed safe in their “safe haven” if the predators are living with them?
Our children in Malaysia are safeguarded by the Sexual Offences Against Children Act that came into force on July 10, 2017. Child rapists and molesters are prosecuted under this Act and can face more than 10 years of imprisonment and strokes of the rotan.
As daunting and traumatising as it is, statistics have shown that most predators are known and closely related to the victims themselves.
We need to know if there are calls from children, beaten wives or even fathers who cannot afford to bring food to the table so that we can help these families.
It is perplexing for the ministry to invest time on a statement that paints a message of refusal to admit the occurrence of domestic violence.
The ministry should highlight that domestic violence is happening right now and they are there to help.
NGOs in Malaysia are receiving calls and emails on domestic abuse, yet the ministry is not ready to acknowledge this pressing calamity. This blatant denial shows how the ministry is downplaying abuse happening in homes.
MCO is a challenging period. Stress level is increasing, families are struggling to make ends meet and some are facing more abuse at home than ever.
Children are the most vulnerable groups during times of quarantine because they have no escape. Schools are closed, teachers and friends are far away and some may not have the privilege of a phone with good internet connection.
How do we ensure that our children are indeed safe in their “safe haven” if the predators are living with them?
Our children in Malaysia are safeguarded by the Sexual Offences Against Children Act that came into force on July 10, 2017. Child rapists and molesters are prosecuted under this Act and can face more than 10 years of imprisonment and strokes of the rotan.
As daunting and traumatising as it is, statistics have shown that most predators are known and closely related to the victims themselves.
Therefore, the legislative body has taken a much needed step by enacting section 16 under this Act. This section criminalises predators who are in a relationship of trust with a child.
A person carries a duty of trust based on his position in the child’s life, be it a father, a teacher or even a public servant entrusted to protect children.
The law acknowledges the acute trauma that may impact a child who is abused by someone he or she trusts. Hence, this provision protects our children by deterring incestutous offences within a family unit.
If a person who is in a relationship of trust with a child is found guilty under this Act, he or she may be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and fine under any other section of the act.
Menteri Doraemon should also give a breakdown on the number of calls that come from families of polygamous husbands....
ReplyDeleteNot to be outdone by her BossKu Menteri Doraemon, Deputy Minister continues the PN Comedy Central show....
ReplyDeleteP/S....still waiting for KT to say "sorry-lah sayangs, I miss you both"...to Kak Wan and Hannah Yeoh, the previous Minister and Deputy.
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SIS slams deputy minister for video suggesting women accept abusive spouses
11 Apr 2020
BY SYED JAYMAL ZAHIID
KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 — Sisters in Islam joined a growing chorus of condemnation against Women and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk Hajah Siti Zailah, over a controversial video that suggests women “accept, remain patient and forgive” their abusive spouses.
The vocal feminist organisation called the message in the video unacceptable and unbecoming of a public official in a ministry tasked to protect women.
In a 5-minute-18-second video, Siti Zailah dished out advice on how to handle stress for married couples locked down by the six-week movement control order, which included being patient with their spouses and accepting their flaws.
She said wives should think of the husband’s “1,000 strengths”, say thank you and forgive each other. For Muslims, she suggested they take their ablution to calm down when feeling angry.
“While those are general advice for any marriages and relationships, the video by Siti Zailah gives out an underlying tone that women should accept, remain patient and forgive their partners despite their partners’ abusive attitude,” the group said in a statement.
“This is unacceptable as deputy minister of Women, Family and Community Development.
“She should be empowering women by affirming that they deserve to live a life free from violence and fear and to reiterate that women and children’s safety are the utmost priority for the (ministry).”
The video has invited public wrath, who said the message was demeaning and dangerous to women facing abusive partners. This comes as concerns mount over the rising reports of domestic abuses during the MCO.
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