WAO says more survivors reaching out on Talian Kasih, lauds PSAs
CORONAVIRUS | The Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) has lauded the National Security Council’s (NSC) recent public service announcements (PSAs) on domestic violence, saying that it has led to more survivors of domestic violence reaching out to Talian Kasih.
"These PSAs are working. The Talian Kasih 15999 April statistics show that following the PSAs, more survivors are reaching out for help," said the WAO in a statement today...
CORONAVIRUS | The Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) has lauded the National Security Council’s (NSC) recent public service announcements (PSAs) on domestic violence, saying that it has led to more survivors of domestic violence reaching out to Talian Kasih.
"These PSAs are working. The Talian Kasih 15999 April statistics show that following the PSAs, more survivors are reaching out for help," said the WAO in a statement today.
It shared that since April 12, when Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob first publicised Talian Kasih on television, the number of daily calls to the hotline has gone from under 10 to around 40, according to Talian Kasih statistics published by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM),
The WAO urged the government – in particular, the NSC, police and the KPWKM - to continue issuing PSAs on domestic violence in regular intervals.
"This should continue during and after MCO. The PSAs should also assure survivors they will not be arrested or detained for escaping a violent household during the MCO period," it said.
WAO also called on for the public to be informed through press statements or social media about how they can obtain protection orders - Emergency Protection Orders (EPO), Interim Protection Orders (IPO) and Protection Orders (PO) - during the MCO period.
"Currently, survivors are unsure whether and how court-issued IPOs and JKM-issued EPOs can be obtained during MCO. The government should also make clear to the public the process of obtaining the protection orders is during the MCO."
It also called for an increase in the number of Talian Kasih operators to meet the anticipated increase in demand.
"As the PSAs continue to roll out to the wider population, Talian Kasih may register a further uptick in survivors seeking help," added the WAO.
It said that aside from Ismail's messages, an SMS announcement which was first sent out on April 20 had contributed to the upward surge in hotline activity regarding domestic violence and children's rights.
The SMS read: “The government views seriously cases of domestic violence and abuse during the MCO. Channel your complaints to the Royal Malaysian Police or Talian Kasih (15999)."
WAO said it believed the clear signal from the government and its effective response has encouraged believed survivors and bystanders to step forward.
It cited research carried out by scholars at Columbia University have reported that women show “more willingness to take complaints to the police and become more sanguine that their allegations will be believed rather than denounced” when exposed to assuring media messages.
The WAO, which provides free shelter, counselling, and crisis support to women and children who experience abuse, reminded survivors out there that they can call the 24-hour WAO Hotline at 03 7956 3488 or WhatsApp Tina at 018 9888 058 for support and assistance, or 15999 for Talian Kasih.
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