In reference to the recent increase of violent crimes in Malaysia, I want to highlight the fact that most of them are violent crimes perpetrated against women and girls. I believe this is just the tip of the iceberg. Many rape and domestic violence crimes go unreported especially those that involve acquaintances and family members as perpetrators.

I urge all Malaysians to solve the problem of crime on all fronts. The government and the police cannot do it by themselves. The most effective strategies are those that involve partnerships and cooperation among not just the public (police, government and local municipalities) and private sectors, but also non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Each of these entities has an important role to play.

Studies have shown that violent crimes against women and girls are mostly a matter of power and control. We often hear that in times of war, the invading army often systematically and deliberately commits mass rapes against women and girls of the occupied territory as an effective way to demoralise and subjugate the occupied people.

In the same way, offenders use brute physical force and sex to subjugate and hurt. Though a small minority of the offenders have mental disorders, the majority of them are otherwise 'normal' people who do it because they can, and it gives them some sense of power.

Because crime is generally a problem of society, not a mental disorder of the offender, the most obvious way of combating crime is in socially controlling the behaviour of offenders; thus, we have the police force, neighbourhood watch groups and the judicial system.

The call to increase police personnel by the deputy prime minister is to be commended. However, an increase in police presence is not a cure all. It is just a first step. What is equally important is the improvement of police policies and procedures in their response to crime and this should include better training, the use of available technology, and need I say, paying police personnel well to retain the best.

Police departments should invite community groups (particularly victim advocacy groups such as women's shelters) to review and analyse their policies and procedures, and they should be willing to accept suggestions for changes.

I personally think some of Malaysian police procedures are extremely ineffective. I unfortunately have a personal example. I was once mugged at a shopping centre in Kuching. The thieves not only took the RM500 that I had just withdrawn from my bank but they also took my IC and driver's licence. Though the security guards helped somewhat by running after the thieves, I was told to lodge a report at a downtown police station.

When I got there, there was no one at the counter, and I had to wait for about 15 minutes for someone to come and see me, after which I was summarily told to go to a photography studio to have three passport-sized photos taken, and then to come back after I have those photos in hand.

Traumatised and having all my money stolen, it wasn't until the next day that I went to get my photos taken, and then, only then, did they allow me to fill out a police report. There was no follow up, and they appeared lethargic and unconcerned.

Compare this to another situation in which I involved the police, in the US. A man exposed his private parts to me at a public library, after which I immediately rushed home (where I felt safer) and telephoned the police. Within minutes, a police officer came to my house, wrote a report, made sure I was all right, went to the library to investigate, and then called me up a few days later to update me on the case.

An additional means to tackle crime, especially crime against innocent women and children, is in the area of prevention. Many of us have done the obvious: put grills on doors and windows, install burglar alarms, avoid going out in the dark alone, take self-defence classes, invite regular police patrols, etc. But what these measures simply aren't enough, and can restrict our freedom of movements and sense of well-being.

I advocate another form of prevention: instilling respect and non-violence in all our citizens, especially the group from which most perpetrators of violence against women come from, i.e. males. And I don't mean simply religious education here. What I mean is that our homes and society must instill in our boys and young men genuine respect and caring for women and girls.

We need to accord equality to our women and children in many big and small ways. We need to challenge social norms, policies, attitudes and behaviour that support inequality between the genders and violence toward women. Public awareness campaigns such as TV public service announcements that challenge sexist and violent attitudes can be very effective.

There are many unjust practices against women and girls in our society that we don't even question; for example, men are given the privilege to practice polygamy, and in many homes boys are allowed to loaf around while girls are required to help with the chores. Whistling and catcalls as women and girls walk by is still common among boys.

These attitudes and behaviour no doubt lead to certain people thinking that people of the female gender are not worth much and are easy prey to pawn upon.