Domestic violence victims can seek emergency protection order without police report

KUALA LUMPUR: A victim of domestic violence can now obtain an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) directly from the Welfare Department, without the need to report the incident to the police first, according to Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying. The EPO is one of three legal protection options available, alongside the Interim Protection Order (IPO) and Protection Order (PO), both of which require a police report.

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry stresses four key strategies for tackling domestic violence: prevention, protection, intervention, and rehabilitation. Prevention efforts focus on strengthening family institutions, with protection measures implemented upon occurrence of incidents. Lim emphasized the importance of intervention and rehabilitation, ensuring that victims of domestic violence can rebuild their lives and become self-reliant.

She stressed that domestic violence is not a solution to family conflicts, and urged victims to seek help when faced with violence or safety threats. The Ministry is working in collaboration with the police, government agencies, NGOs, communities, and families to address the issue through a committee dedicated to data, education, capacity building, and protection.

The community, including families and neighbors, must shift their mindset and recognize domestic violence as a crime, allowing them to report incidents through the 24-hour Talian Kasih 15999 hotline, which connects callers to the Welfare Department for advice and psychosocial counseling.