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KOTA KINABALU – The number of domestic violence cases in Sabah increased to 145 between January and April this year, from 126 cases in the same period last year, said the state’s Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff.
This is despite the number of domestic violence cases across the country dropping to 576 during the same period, from 627 cases recorded nationwide last year.
Siti Zailah said although the statistics from police showed an increase in Sabah, she believed that strong cooperation among all the parties concerned could reduce the number of cases, besides through the various initiatives taken by the ministry such as the Skuad Waja (Waja Squad).
“To date, the Skuad Waja has 304,982 members, with 21,387 of them in Sabah including 9,159 males,” she told reporters after officiating a Sabah Skuad Waja programme, here, today.
Siti Zailah said to ensure the effectiveness of the programme, RM175,000 had been allocated for 25 districts in Sabah to carry out psychosocial activities.
She said that implementation of the Skuad Waja programme proved the existing good synergy between the government and community in tackling the issue of domestic violence against women.
“With active involvement and the organising of various programmes, I believe the Skuad Waja Sabah will do well in detecting and assisting more women and other vulnerable groups in the community,” she added. – Bernama, June 5, 2022