SELANGOR recorded the highest number of domestic violence cases, 4,690, from 2020 to August 2023, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu.

She said the number was based on police statistics, which showed 22,908 domestic violence cases reported nationwide.

“There was a sharp increase in cases in 2021, to 7,468, compared with 5,260 in 2020.

“The number of domestic violence cases was still high in 2022, although it showed a slight drop to 6,540 cases,” said the Sepang MP in a statement.

She said to address the issue, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry established the Waja Squad in 2021. It has the participation of 253,973 women and 74,585 men.

“The Waja Squad acts as an agent of change to deal with violence against women in the community, and build a society that helps each other and instils harmony,” she said, adding that there are 26,910 Selangor Waja Squad members.

She said 1,012 Waja Squad psychosocial programmes have been carried out in communities nationwide, with 72,942 people treated.

“Of that number, 104 psychosocial programmes have been carried out, involving 12,506 people in Selangor,” she said.

Aiman Athirah said the Waja Squad programmes have created good synergy between the government and the community in dealing with violence against women.

She expressed hope Selangor’s Semarak Waja Squad 2023 programme would provide awareness and protection to women from violence and discrimination. – Bernama, October 28, 2023.