PSM, groups raise concern over 'intimate partner violence'

Summary

• PSM, civil society groups submit memorandum to highlight “intimate partner violence”.

• PSM said such cases represent a small but significant number of domestic violence cases, in call for policy changes and greater data transparency.

PSM and supporting civil society groups have urged the government to amend the Domestic Violence Act 1994 and include cases classified as “intimate partner violence”.

The call was a part of several recommendations presented in a memorandum to the Women, Families and Community Development Ministry today.

“Intimate partner violence is a form of abuse or violence that occurs in a romantic relationship, even among former partners.

“This abuse can be physical, mental, reproductive, and financial, leaving survivors with long-term duress such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“It can also manifest itself in the form of stalking and isolation,” said PSM in the memorandum endorsed by 24 groups and eight individuals.

The memorandum was submitted in response to a reported case of a 19-year-old girl who is in critical condition due to being stabbed in the back of her head at her university.

PSM said the perpetrator was reportedly her ex-boyfriend who decided to commit such a heinous act due to the end of their relationship.

Policy changes

Other than the Women, Families and Community Development Ministry, PSM also recommended policy changes to the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) and the Home Ministry.

Among others, the groups said more support must be given to NGOs that provide counselling and social services for survivors, and for increased awareness of the dangers of misogynistic hate speech that is perpetuated online.

Additionally, the groups advocated for data transparency on statistics regarding intimate partner violence to ensure better research and policy implementation, as well as aggregated data of abuse leading to murder cases where women have lodged police reports or sought government agencies' support before being killed by their loved ones.

According to PSM, the Women’s Aid Organisation received 17 calls and messages reporting alleged intimate partner violence in January this year, representing four percent of total cases.

“PSM stresses the importance of adopting a survivor-centric approach in addressing violence against women.

“This can come in the form of feedback on services, suggestions for better policy implementation, and how to improve research and increase awareness of the issue,” said the party.

The groups stressed that any violence against women needs to be treated with a great sense of urgency and that there must be a cultural shift in how men view women.

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