The Senate today passed the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2011 which aims to protect victims not only from physical abuse but also from the aspects of emotional, mental and psychological abuse.

According to the Bill, abuse was also applicable to the husband and not only restricted to the wife.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Heng Seai Kie said the amended bill would also enable the court to issue an order preventing a third party from committing violence against the victim and facilitated application for a protection order.

When winding-up the debate at the Upper House, she said 7,246 cases of domestic violence had been referred to the Counselling and Psychological Division of the Social Welfare Department since the division was introduced in 2002.

- Bernama