ADVOCATING martial arts training to women as a solution to reducing domestic violence cases is wrong, said DAP lawmakers.

Former Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister Hannah Yeoh said there are also men who suffer from domestic violence as it also involves other family members such as children and senior citizens.

She said that advocating martial arts training as a solution to domestic violence is wrong.

Yeoh was commenting on MCA Women’s chief Heng Seai Kie’s remarks during the opening of the wing’s annual general meeting today where she had reportedly urged women to promote karate to discourage domestic violence and crime.

Heng, who said she had martial arts training, had said that if it was necessary, women should fight back with full force to deter perpetrators and to rein them in.

“This is so telling of MCA’s failure to understand domestic violence and its challenges,” said Yeoh who is also Segambut MP.

“MCA is prescribing the wrong solution to a serious problem like domestic violence that can cause severe injury and loss of life.”

Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto said that Heng’s statement was in “bad taste”.

“Domestic violence is not limited to physically harming your partner as there is psychological trauma, prohibiting social communications online and control over the other person’s finances,” said Kasthuri on Facebook.

“The government should promote awareness on the importance of reporting domestic violence cases and offer pre-marriage counselling.

“Instead, MCA Wanita is clueless and has missed the mark. Martial arts (are) good for safety but does not reduce domestic violence,” said Patto. – March 6, 2021.