PERSONNEL dealing with gender-based violence must be equipped with proper training, and have good communication skills and empathy when tending to vulnerable people, support groups said. 

They said the police and Home Ministry should conduct such training programmes within their academies a high priority to address these issues.

“We can’t stress enough that survivors of gender-based violence, including rape victims, should be treated with compassion and empathy in order to provide assurance,” said All Women’s Action Society (Awam) senior programme manager Lilian Kok.

“Uncertainty on the part of the authorities on the overall management process, including on the reporting of incidents and examination, will only traumatise victims even further.”

Kok said there had been several unpleasant experiences where survivors have had their reports dismissed, trivialised or even get victim-blamed for allowing those violations to occur to them.

“Female survivors are unjustifiably scrutinised on their clothing, appearance and behaviour with or towards the perpetrator. 

“The root cause that perpetuates such sexualised violence, specifically patriarchal values and sexual objectification of women and girls, must be addressed.

“There is also the taboo of culture where there is the need to protect one’s reputation, which entrenches the culture of silence and inaction that stifles survivors who experienced violence, regardless of gender,” she said.

Kok said some of the victims Awam has handled shared their experiences through its Telenita helpline on the authorities’ lack of sensitivity.

“They are unempathetic towards survivors, dismissive and engage in victim-blaming behaviour.

“There have also been accounts of inconsistent levels of knowledge and awareness on gender-based violence and corresponding case procedures among some of the authorities.”

Meanwhile, Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) senior advocacy officer Zati Hanani said challenges such as the lack of facilities and manpower must be addressed urgently to avoid under-reporting and re-traumatisation of survivors.

“There is also sometimes the absence of female police officers to attend to survivors.

“This needs to be a priority, because in cases where men are the perpetrators, a rape survivor may not feel comfortable reporting her case to a male officer. 

“This needs to be addressed urgently because the handling of suspected rape victims is a time-sensitive matter and the inability to lodge a police report immediately will expose the victims to disruption of evidence and risks their safety.”

Another challenge when reporting cases is the lack of gender sensitivity and instances of victim-blaming.

“There have been cases where survivors are blamed for the crime, and this is symptomatic of cultural perceptions towards violence against women. 

“There is a severe need for gender-sensitivity training among frontliners and the police force to ensure that no survivor is turned away or fears reporting,” said Zati.

Both Awam and WAO agree that there is an urgent need to improve and streamline the current standard operating procedure in handling rape victims.

Last Sunday, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri said procedures related to hospital examination for suspected rape victims must be improved. 

Taking into account the traumatic situation faced by rape victims, she hopes the Health Ministry (MOH) would consider granting permission for the victims to be examined at a hospital without first lodging a police report.

“Our recommendation is since the report and rape kit must be made within 72 hours, the victim does a medical examination first and then the victim is allowed to decide whether to make a police report. We will let MOH decide (on this suggestion).”

Nancy said the procedure for handling cases of suspected rape victims currently states that a police report must first be made before the victim is allowed to undergo further examination. – July 22, 2023.